I'm creating a game we're going to play at a women's retreat I'm speaking at this weekend, and I need to know: what are stupid things you feel guilty for? Examples might be:
Sending the same thing in my child's lunch every day Not calling my mother-in-law Forgetting to shave my legs
etc.
We're talking things that ultimately don't matter (you could argue the mother-in-law one, I suppose) but eat emotional energy just the same. Can you leave me a comment? Thanks a ton!
I feel guilty for lots of things, something I've been trying to work on! The biggest one for me is, I feel guilty for relaxing! Which means, that I have a hard time trying to relax. I always feel like I should be doing something. It's a little frustrating because I know the Lord says we should rest but I just feel guilty trying to do it.
*pampering myself *having cereal for dinner *leaving him with a sitter while my husband and I go out *leaving him at daycare while I go to work *punishing him *giving in when he wants to sleep with my husband and me *giving in when he really wants to wear his snow hat and mittens when it's 90 degrees outside
-folding the towels in half, then half again, then half again instead of in thirds like my mother taught me -cleaning the bathroom with disposable wipes instead of a sponge and cleaner -feeding the kids cereal for breakfast everyday instead of something hot -not having the 3-month-old on any kind of schedule yet -having an almost-four-year-old still in diapers -the fact that the 6-year-old pretty much taught himself to read without my having to work at it How many are you looking for? :)
I feel guilty about a big one that is a real problem * struggling with the effects of fibromialgia and mothering 9 children...the little things are*not mopping as often as i should *hiding things i am not ready to find a home for in my supposed walk in closet. *not cleaning out my tupperware cabinet.
*making the children go to bed at regular time during summer break, because i am tired.... you get the idea
~ Leaving the dishes for my husband to do. ~ Letting laundry pile up til there's no clean underwear left ~ Running out of my husband's oatmeal or lunch snacks ~ Eating take-out or leftovers most days of some weeks ~ Blogging or Twittering when I should be cleaning (like right now!! Gotta go!!!)
I feel guilty when my husband has to spend time with his own children when I leave to go somewhere even though I am with them almost 24/7. I always feel like I owe him something for his time. I think that is textbook craziness. Feels like it! I also feel guilty spending any money on myself, especially clothess, then I feel guilty looking so frumpy in the clothes I have. It will be interesting to read what you come up with in your retreat!
* sitting down and doing nothing but sitting * my house not being spotless * leaving the clothes in the dryer so my husband will fold them. * not wearing makeup in the summer * not getting all my chores done * reading a book * making meals from frozen
Guilt... crazy thing! I feel guilty... - when I get migraines and am out of commission. - that I can't get everything done. - that I need help. - that I don't know how to ask for help. - that I don't spend enough one-on-one time with my children. - when I get upset about spilled milk.
Is that enough? I could come up with hundreds more...
BTW - that you for your blog (and your books)! I have been so blessed.
For reading books for fun...so I mostly read self help books...
For exercising (when i actually DO exercise...it feels so selfish and vain)
For buying myself things. Anything. I stay at home so I feel really bad when I spend money on things for me...the more it costs, the worse I feel...(ex:haircuts, new shoes, clothes)
Not recycling like i should
trying to save money on birthday presents when we are invited to a party (but we are on a tight budget...I HAVE to pinch pennies)
and lots of the same ones the other ladies already mentioned...
Oh good grief - you should be writing a book about this!
Wow - we're rough on ourselves, aren't we? Here's my list: * not getting my housework done * leaving laundry in the dryer for a couple of days (obviously it's not missed!) * going to bed with dirty dishes on the counter * not keeping my floors clean even though we have 2 little girls * letting our 22 month old sleep with us when I wake up and find her in bed with us * not sending thank you cards
Things I feel guilty about: * spending money on myself* * raising my voice at the kids* *the stack of clean clothes on my dresser that always seems to be there and not put away like it should be* *not going to the Dr. for a yearly check up ( I go every 3 years!) *
I could repeat most of these but here are the worst: 1) House work, I'm a lousy housekeeper, I try but we are in a very small house and I just don't have a talent for it. I'll work till I get frustrated and then just quit until all my work is undone. 2) Spending money on myself, of course I spend money on my kids and husband but not on me, even if it's something I really need. 3) Breakfast ceral. It's all my kids eat on school days, even if they ask for something else. 4) Raising my voice to the kids. My dad yelled at me all the time & I hated that. I try really hard not to yell at my kids. 5) Not always having a meal ready for my husband when he gets off work. He works strange hours & isn't off at the same time every day, but he works very hard and I feel his needs should be respected. 6) Spending any time on myself. I leave the house without the kids maybe once a year, and I feel guilty for that. I hope thats enough. Now that I listed my guilts. I think I should start working on my house.
~~not always folding the laundry "right out of the dryer" ~~taking a me break when other things aren't done ~~not always having the kitchen table cleaned off (papers, books, etc) ~~every time we eat out rather than cooked at home
I know I'm late on this. I just found your blog through a friend. There aren't many times during the day that I don't feel guilty, so here are things that I can be proud of *When I get the whole house clean in one day (not often) *When I really play with my kids (not often enough) *When I work out and actually finish a mile without walking (if I walk, I feel guilty :)) *When I learn something new on my camera and put it to use *When my husband tells me that I've done a good job (which he is great at doing)
About Me: I'm a Christian author of a bunch of books, and a frequent speaker to women's groups and marriage conferences. Best of all, I love homeschooling my daughters, Rebecca and Katie. And I love to knit. Preferably simultaneously.
I feel guilty for lots of things, something I've been trying to work on! The biggest one for me is, I feel guilty for relaxing! Which means, that I have a hard time trying to relax. I always feel like I should be doing something. It's a little frustrating because I know the Lord says we should rest but I just feel guilty trying to do it.