Chippewa Valley 5ive for Women The Chippewa Valley’s Premier Magazine for Women!
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As I write, outside these office walls four loads of unfolded laundry, unmade beds, a sink full of dishes that never wash themselves, and a yard looking like something straight out of a horror film beckon me.
Let’s not even discuss the garage. A friend stopped by the other day and happened upon my garage; she nearly furnished her entire cabin with the contents of our overstuff ed garage.
I’ll just call my current situation controlled chaos.” Throughout the years I have often heard, “Jen, I don’t know how you do it all.” Well, ladies, I’m not doing it all. I’m doing my best, just like all of you. Some days are better than others, but the reality is, when we fill so many roles it can’t all be done to perfection. With five kids, a husband, two dogs, while working and navigating the completion of a master’s degree, the home we have is lived in. The kids know I am always here for them. I love to cook so most nights they get a nice dinner. But, don’t ask my growing Gus. He might say, “Ugggh! There is no food in this house.”
As I refill my coffee cup, I see Hank has collected yet another treasure from the curb of someone’s “free pile.” Maybe it will fit in the garage because it doesn’t look like it belongs in the house. My sweet Grace invited some lovely lady friends to the house this past weekend. Well, they sure got an eyeful when she gave the grand tour of this beautifully lived in, old house. Lowering the bar to realistic expectations along with self-compassion just may be the answer.
Maybe, broken doors, chipped paint, messy rooms, unkempt yards, and dirty laundry spilling over are just signs of a season in life in which other goals and priorities are being met. Sometimes, accepting the mess and silencing the mean-spirited inner critic are essential to living well. I contemplate how much time I might free up if I lived by realistic standards and compassionately embraced the idea that sometimes a life well-lived lends to a less than sterile home.
I’m thrilled to put out this issue which has inspired me to take control of the things in which I can and let go of what I cannot. This edition is all about getting organized. A little time spent organizing helps us quiet the inner critic. We hope you’ll love the updates to 5ive. Check out our new column all about health and nourishing your body. We would love your feedback! I’m so excited for this issue—it so inspired me and I hope it does the same for you.
As we enjoy the last moments of summer, let’s look forward to a beautiful autumn. As the seasons change, let us also enter a new season of rejecting shame and start focusing on all we do well. Let us walk together, as the journey continues in faith, family, friends, fitness, and finance.
Jen Theisen
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
