Jessica Turner
About the Author

Jessica Turner is the author of Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter and Thrive, and blogs on The Mom Creative. Every day is a juggling act as she balances working full-time, making memories with her family, photographing the every day and trying to be...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I so totally agree. Only in the past couple of months have I really started to put me back into ME. For 13+ years now I have a been a mom. When asked what my hobbies were, I couldn’t really tell you. I could give lame answers like, I like to read but then I’d think, um really? When was the last time you truly read something you wanted to read? I love to write. I have a crazy wild imagination and I think God wants me to use it. I’m not saying I am fantastic at it but I enjoy it and that’s what matters.
    We’ve made a point out of our family life to keep it a low key family life. We are not overly involved in anything that takes away from us having a family dinner every single night or that doesn’t allow us to go to the beach on a nice Saturday. We’ve left room for fun and be spontaneous. This also allows for me to have a little me time here and there. Something I am forever grateful. I don’t want an overwhelming life. I really don’t.
    Thank you for this reminder. I truly believe more women need to not only hear it but they need to take it to heart.

  2. I am going to start following your advice to “just sit” and then than God for all my blessings. Thank you Jessica 🙂

  3. 7 years of marriage and 2 kids later, I’ve finally acted on the advice that moms MUST carve out a little time for themselves each day. I started running last year and quickly saw the emotional, mental and physical benefits. My 4-day a week runs (I’m training for a marathon) keep me balanced, make me happy and permit me to be a better mom, wife and woman. They are “MY TIME.” And they are a precious time between my God and me, as all responsibilities and pretenses are stripped away. He definitely meets me on a run.
    This weekend, I have an 18 miler planned. 🙂

  4. I’m going to take a long walk with a friend I’ve known for years. She’s creative too and we talk about what we’re working on and how God is using it to teach us. Thanks for the encouragement and permission to focus on my passions! You’re wonderful, girl.

  5. This hits home as I was just talking to my husband last night about my stress level. I got a little teary as I said, “I don’t know, maybe I just need to have 15 minutes when you come home from work to myself.” And he said, “You do what you need.” (He’s a great guy, did I mention that?) As a stay-at-home Mom, I don’t get a break from my job. It’s a 365 day a year gig and I think sometimes it catches up with me.
    I was praying yesterday and I said to God, “I want to be supermom and I don’t know how.” Of course I know my goal shouldn’t be supermom, but sometimes I look around and can’t help but compare my parenting with others. And I feel like I’m lacking.
    Okay, enough rambling. Just wanted to drive home the point that your post hit home with me. Thank you for permission (I need that!) to have a few minutes to do what I love. I will probably grab my camera and snap some photos on a nature walk. Heaven!

  6. Wow! this is how I’ve been feeling lately. I made so many excuses for why I wasn’t taking even a little bit of time for myself and then one day I realized that I can do both, I can be a good mom and take time for myself…in fact, it probably makes me a better mom, because I’m happier and feel rejuvinated. So, this weekend I’m going for a long run!!

  7. My husband is a huge supporter of my creativity. I am blessed that over the 30 years we have been married he recognizes my need to create. It is an extension of who I am. His only wish is that I could hone it in a bit and pick just one thing that I like to do. Unfortunately, that is the hard part for me. I like to do so many different things. The God of the universe who created, is creating and is creative is in each one of us. We all have the ability to tap into whatever that creative side of Himself that He gave us.

  8. I admit….this is a common problem for me!
    I get overwhelmed with EVERYBODY else’s life being my center! I know that isn’t how God wants it either.
    I’m going to relax this weekend! Even though, I must honor dad!

  9. I am inspired to do something for myself lately. I still have two little ones…ages 2 and 7…and I’ve spent so much time taking care of them and my husband that I really don’t know what I like to do anymore. My husband knows I need something for myself and is encouraging me to take some time but so far I feel lost and bored when I’m not taking care of my family. I just don’t know what to do with myself!!

  10. I’m going to work on my music. I’ve always loved to sing but just recently God has been putting songs in my heart. It’s been amazing. But I need time to work them out and enjoy them. Thanks for the great encouragement.
    Blessings1

  11. This weekend I am going to finish a necklace I have had laying on the table for the last week. There are a few finishing touches I want to put on it!

  12. I will be blogging. And taking pictures. And running away to my parents house (with my husband) because there is a wedding near there and it calms my soul to be there. It’s quiet and calming in the middle of the woods.

  13. I cannot tell you how excited I am about my hair appointment that I’m going to tomorrow morning at 10:30! I’ve been stalking my hairdresser for about a month, trying to figure out a time that will work for both of us. I’m also going to an amazing Juneteenth celebration and a wedding that promises to make me cry and dance until the wee hours of the morning. But all of that pales in comparison to the anticipation I feel about this hair appointment!

  14. I love this! And, you are so right. As a mother, I put everyone and everything before myself. Normally, I don’t mind it. But, sometimes, as you said…my soul longs for creativity.
    Thank you for this post, and for the reminder.

  15. Passion, passion, passion! This is a common topic today. I reckon God is speaking…
    Indeed, I am melding two passions, orphans in Uganda (i.e. Amazima) and photography. Please, before you all dart off for the weekend, do stop by here to read about it.
    http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/2010/06/introdutions.html
    What will I do this weekend? Passionately celebrate Father’s Day with a surprise water gun fight (our son’s idea) and lots of good eats!
    Blessings.

  16. I hear this all the time, and I know it is SO true… So why is it that it is so difficult for me (along with many other women)?! 🙂 My husband has no problem going out for an afternoon of fishing or golf, but I feel guilty to take an hour here and there for myself. I’m a working mom so want to spend all the time I can with my almost 2 year old daughter. I also have baby #2 on the way and am due in two months so I know it won’t be getting any easier any time soon.
    I feel myself getting more and more stressed (translate: GROUCHY!) lately and know I just need to do a few things I enjoy. I need to let those passions shine rather than holding them back. This weekend I will take some time to go on a walk, bake, and just relax. I hope to start a scrapbooking class soon too! I know I would really enjoy it! Good luck to everyone and here’s to taking time for our passions! 🙂

  17. For the last three weekends, we’ve been sailboat racing (big breeze, hard work), splitting wood, and digging out palm trees. I’m tired. This weekend it’s my birthday (yeah!) so I told my Husband “we’re NOT working this weekend!” I plan to nap and just relax, maybe go look at the puppies at the shelters. I used to read for relaxation, and walk. Now, I don’t read, because it seems such a solitary thing to do and my DH loves to be with me, and he likes to walk with me because he’d never forgive himself if something happened to me while I was out by myself. So…I just haven’t figured out where to go from here.

  18. I actually did this last weekend and plan to do it again this weekend. I love scrapbooking but I also love making cards! So last weekend, I made 20 cards. I think I’m going to do the same again this weekend. I posted them on my blog as well and will do the same once I finish them this weekend! Even though my back hurt some from leaning over my table, I felt so good after doing it all!!!!

  19. I have been sort of ‘forced’ into me time as a newly divorce mom of 2. So my ‘me’ time is when my kids are at their fathers house and I have 4 days alone. I work full time and I have some great friends and a church home that helps me when times are rough. They are getting better though, not so hard to be without my kids. Today I went to the YMCA and rode 3 miles on the bike then went out and sat by the pool sans kids and just enjoyed not having to be on guard at the pool! Now I am fixing myself dinner and going to watch a movie. Thats about the extent of my ‘alone’ time I can tolerate so my best friend is coming to hang out with me all day tomorrow and then church on Sunday! I am beginning to enjoy doing things on my own and feel rejuvenated afterward!

  20. I am going to read more about this new business that I am getting into. I will go for a walk on Sunday. I will take time to rest and just to be.
    Have a great weekend all!

  21. For me, I find relaxation in writing in a journal with a dip pen and bottle of ink. The quiet scratch of nib on thick paper, the thoughts that swirl in the moment it takes to dip nib into sepia or black ink, the fineness of the written word, the elemental feel of writing as Austen and Shakespeare and the Brontes and other “greats” did–all bring me relaxation and deep pleasure.
    So that’s what I’m going to do this weekend.

  22. I know this all too well – I’m a 36 year old mother of 3 busy kids: a preteen daughter (yikes!) and two crazy boys (7&5). Two years ago, I finally had an answer when my husband said, “What do you like to do? Find something and do it.” He was getting annoyed by my whining apparently. He’s a great supporter & gave me ample opportunities to do whatever it is I wanted to. That was the hard part – coming up with the “want to.” I had enough “have tos,” “could dos” and “should dos.” But music was what I WANTED to do – writing and singing. I took five trips to Nashville to get my CD done. Now that I’ve done that, I kind of slipped back into busy Mom mode this past year and haven’t carved out the time to devote to new songs. I know there are a lot of things on my heart and God didn’t just give me 12 songs, but I need to get still & quiet & take time to listen again.

  23. I so relate to this! I get grumpy if I don’t have an outlet for my creativity… and need to knit or sew or bake something (something exciting, that is!) I think it’s because we were made in the image of God, the creator.
    Also, I just realised, you’re Matthew Paul Turner’s wife. I’ve read one of his books 🙂

  24. I am going on vacation this weekend…much needed and long overdue. So I’m gonna say that’s what I’m doing for myself this weekend! I will certainly enjoy it! 🙂

  25. Sometimes I forget who ME is. Sure I’m a wife, a mother, a co-worker but who am I really?
    I’ve let the last 6+ years define me and all that I am or will become. I use to paint and loved it. Sure I wasn’t a Picasso but I had fun, released anger and sadness, and was reenergized for days to come.
    I’m trying to spend more time reading. I love to read – the smell of the paper, the texture in my hands, creating images of the characters and the sounds of their voices in my head. I miss that!