December 12, 2013

Peace & Quiet

I used to be a girl who hated to be alone.  I didn't like the quiet and I certainly didn't like being by myself.  I was that girl who always had a boyfriend.  I liked being with someone, being around people, being social and none of that involved being alone.  I don't know what it was that made me this way, OK maybe I do, but it was a miserable way to live.  I can remember, even after I moved out of my parents house, going back to their house on the weekends, every weekend, just because I hated being in my apartment alone.

Jimmy is the complete opposite.  He loves alone time, always has.  He used to go see movies alone before he met me, isn't that weird?!  I think part of the reason he loves hunting so much is for the alone time.  Even though he's sitting in freezing cold, 30 feet up in the air, in a tree, he's alone with his thoughts and it allows him time to reflect, become closer with God and just be.  Maybe I should take up hunting?

Now?  Things are different.  I crave that alone time.

I love my husband and love spending time with him more than anyone else on this planet.  My children rock my socks and are the only tiny humans I would want to spend 24/7 with.  My family is great, couldn't ask for better people to surround myself with, this includes my in-laws.

The quiet is something I can't get enough of these days.  I don't mind being alone with my thoughts, I love it.  Some days, like today, I wake up extra early to just sit in the quiet.  Some mornings I just sit on the couch and drink a full mug of coffee while it's still hot, other mornings I blog, I've read, caught up on the DVR, thrown in a load of laundry.  Although it's hard to pull myself out of my warm, snuggly, cozy bed on these frigid mornings, the time where I don't have someone asking me for something or am feeding someone or playing My Little Ponies for the 1,395,875 time, it's bliss.  I really should do this more often.  It's good for my soul.

Sometimes I look at single people, people without little people, and I don't get envious of their care-free lifestyle, ability to go out and see a movie on a whim or spend the night out at the bars.  No. I am not envious of those things and I'm not necessarily jealous of their quiet time {OK, yes I am} BUT I do want to remind them to enjoy it. I wish someone had told me to enjoy it while it lasted {they probably did, hiiiiii Mom!} and that, one day, I'd miss it.

What type of person are you?  Do you crave the quiet or do you like to be surrounded by noise, people, whatever?  Moms, how do you get your quiet time?  Do you wake up before the household to have a moment of peace to yourself?

11 comments:

  1. This so so true for me too. I'm sitting here this morning reading and blogging in the quiet. About a month ago I started getting up just 15min earlier to have more time for me and I'm thinking of moving that up another 30min in the new year and possible getting some elliptical time in before everyone is awake. When I try to even do that when people are awake I keep getting interrupted and I can't get my groove on and loose my self in the story. I like to listen to books on take instead of music. It makes it easier for me to keep going since I always want to know what is happening next. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I used to be the same. Always wanted to be around people and always wanted to be doing something. Now? I LOVE quiet time. It's my favorite, hands down. I get up really early to have time to sit by myself. I read, or watch tv, drink coffee and sometimes I just look at stuff on my phone. Not having quiet time gives me major anxiety. It's when I can think most clearly, and feel closest to God. There is nothing better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Don't underestimate going to the movies by yourself...you get to pick whatever you want, shove as much candy in your face as you want, and no one is going to be talking to you during the good parts. It's actually quite amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have always had to have quite/alone time. Maybe it's because I'm an only child (I have three step-siblings, but they are 14, 16, and 18 years OLDER than me so we never lived under the same roof), maybe it's because I'm an introvert...I'm really not sure. Either way - I'm MUCH happier when it's a part of my day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I couldn't tell you the last time I had "quiet time". I always sleep in on the weekends, because Andy gets up at the butt crack of dawn, and so by the time I get up, it's time to get Chloe up....weekdays, it's just a rush to get out the door....so there isn't any down time for me. I don't like that, and I wish I had more "quiet, alone" time. Maybe one day, when I'm able to stay home and work at a SAHM :-) one can dream...right?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I need to enjoy my alone time more often:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like both. I like the noise and bustle of my friends or family, but I also love the hour or two of quiet alone time after Boomer has gone to bed. I like a good balance I guess, but I've always appreciated that quiet alone time. When I don't get any...I'm not very nice :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think once the twins arrive I may change to enjoying quiet. I do try to wake up before him some days so we can do something in the morning. The mornings I don't get up until he gets up we don't do anything until after nap.

    ReplyDelete
  9. As a singleton who has 15+ hours of quiet time per day, I must admit -- I am jealous of your non-quiet time. I'd love to have someone tell me they're grateful for my existence, and not just because I took care of that work report no one wanted to write. Even though I've mastered the handshake, I'd love to be able to remember the last time I was hugged. Not to mention coming home each evening to something other than a dark and empty home.
    I'm definitely not trying to downplay your overarching message of this post - because I do think alone/quiet time is vital. But I just want you to know that there are others out there (like me) who would love to have the sound of other humans filling our quiet homes.
    I promise you this -- I'll try to do my best to enjoy this quiet time while it lasts, but don't you forget to enjoy the non-quiet time with your tiny humans while it lasts! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love both my quiet time and group time!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I crave alone alone time, quiet time. Not because I don't like being around people or want to be doing lots of things with lots of people but because sometimes....that time alone is good for the soul. Good for reflecting, for planning, for peace. I need it!

    Kate @ www.raisingtherogers.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete