Something is better than nothing

Since becoming a mom "something is better than nothing" has become my mantra. And like a mantra it has an oddly soothing effect on me.

Now, I am what you call a type-A gal. I've been known to be obsessive, high strung, even... anal. I am a creature of habit. I like my routine, I like to do certain things by the book, and I like my house and my stuff to be "just so." Well guess what? People like myself do not fair well once a baby enters the picture. I was obsessed with doing everything the way I thought it should be done to the point of driving myself insane. I used to be a list-maker. You know the type. I would add already completed tasks to a list just so I could cross them off. After I had Sophie I stopped making lists because seeing only 1 or 2 things crossed off a long list at the end of the day would just depress me.

And then I found my mantra. I began to tell myself several times a day that something is better than nothing. For example, if Sophie wakes up from her nap early, causing me to only be able to go on the treadmill for 20 minutes instead of 35, that's okay. Because some time on the treadmill is better than none. And (warning- not for the squeamish or awkward) if I am only able to pump 2 ounces one night instead of 5 because I was stressed and hadn't remembered to drink all 8 cups of water that day, that is just fine. Because pumping some milk is better than pumping none. If I was away for a three day yom tov and got on the weight watchers scale and only lost .4 pounds instead of the previous week's 2 pounds, that was nothing to get upset about. Because losing some weight is always better than losing none (or gaining some back!). You get the idea.

So, now I have decided to share my mantra with all of you. I really think my mantra could be used in almost any situation, for anyone. It has really helped me to let go of my irrational belief that I have to be a super woman and get it all done the right way always. And if I help just one person by sharing this thought, then that is just awesome. Because helping one person is better than helping none!