Do you remember the time back before you had kids?  Back when the main focus of your life was you?  If you’re anything like me, you look back upon those times with fond memories, but you can’t picture your life without your kids now, am I right?  Well I would like to share something that I’ve learned about myself…or rather rediscovered.

In 2012, I moved back to Newfoundland after having been away for almost eight years.  While I gained many wonderful things living away, I had all but forgotten about the “old me”.  I did not enjoy being away from the province which I love so dearly, not one little bit, and the fact that I was away pushed me into a low time of my life.  Well after moving back, the little cloud which hung over my head seemed to disappear overnight!  I started to enjoy life again.  One day, I ran into my old music teacher and mentor and he suggested that I join the town band.  At first I thought he was crazy!  Me?  Become part of a band again?  How could I?  I had two children to care for!  No matter how hard I tried to rationalize why I shouldn’t join the band, there was an old spark inside of me that seemed to yell “DO IT!  FIND A WAY!  YOU KNOW YOU WANT THIS!!”  It’s true, I did want this…very badly in fact!  So I found a way to attend the weekly rehearsals (Yay for Tuesday nights!).

Having music back in my life has brought me so much joy!  I couldn’t believe how much I had missed playing percussion.  What’s more is that I had rediscovered a small part of myself which had been forgotten.  It made me think to myself “What else have I forgotten about me?”  One day while my two little ones were playing in the back yard, I started to paint a clay flower pot.  I love to paint and I had forgotten how relaxing it can be.  The latest thing I’m doing for myself is this blog.  I may not be the best writer, but I do love to write.  I find it to be freeing and almost therapeutic.

My hobbies don’t take up much time at all.  Nap time and after the kids go to bed are perfect times to do things me.  Not only do I feel wonderful about myself for having these little hobbies, but I can share them with my children too and I find that really special.  As parents, we strive to help our kids learn new things, discover talents and find themselves.  Why deny such things from ourselves?

We are not just parents.  I am not just a Mom.  I am a percussionist.  I am a painter.  I am a writer.  You, my friend, are YOU.  What makes you passionate?  Are you an avid reader?  Perhaps singing is what makes you tick.  Give yourself permission to explore your passions and take up old hobbies which excite you.  Join a choir!  Volunteer at the SPCA.  Dust off your camera and start to take pictures.  Do what makes your happy and be proud of it!  I know I am.