Chronicles of an Inspired Single Mom

Hello my lovelies

Can you believe that we’ve come to the last day of April…ehhhhhh What is dis o??!!!

Lol anyways…as always it’s good to look back, reflect on what has transpired and be hopeful for the next. So let’s see what happened to me in April.

Exercise

Well look at me out here losing inches and gaining endurance! I have been doing a lot better in this area. I am a woman who procrastinates a lot or who sometimes tries to be spontaneous and it doesn’t work because I will find an excuse not to do what I said I would do. Ahhh man can’t go walking today it’s raining, can’t go to the gym now I’m tired. I was going to exercise but I need to do the 100th load of laundry!  But this month I have improved in this regard. I have been out walking whether by myself or with my partner. I don’t really go to the gym much during this season because I love to be out enjoying the lovely weather and walking allows me to do that. I am thinking of starting the couch to 5K challenge again. We’ll see what happens. I’ll work on keeping this rhythm and learning to be consistent in this area before I try something else.

Finances

I said I’d be disciplined and save an extra dollar by not purchasing any fast food..yea I failed at that! How would I sum up my finances in a statement??…hmmmm

Getting through by a wing and a prayer!

You know what, this might be a great title for my next book. But honestly guys as a single mother my finances are on life support. I am disciplined to save and invest but most months I have to withdraw from my savings to cover unexpected bills called ‘life keeps messing with ma money!’ Cause tell me why these people will send me a ticket for parking in a parent & child parking bay?? Arm hello the two beings in my car are kids not aliens! But we move…sigh

Then school was out for two weeks…while other coworkers were gushing about going to Disney, Rome, camping, and the Like, I went to Lidl, Asda, aldi, aldi, aldi, Lidl and Tesco to mix it up a bit. I was feeling froggy that day. I definitely underestimated how much my kiddos eat and boy when I tell you I was doing abracadabra with my money; turning a £5 into £50… oh but for the provision of God. I always look back and think the math isn’t mathing and then I realise it was definitely not me but God providing for us constantly. 

Pleasantries

Apart from rolling down the cereal and frozen food section in Aldi. The kids and I managed to have some family time. We went bowling one evening, followed by an xl artery clogging pizza. We drove up to a lovely little town called Shifnal and we were absolutely delighted with the scenery and warmth of the locals. We enjoyed the views and frolicked on a farm yard, bought a few knick knacks to include organic honey, (which apparently is my daughters new craze); with the promise to return again. (In a later post I’ll elaborate more on the main reason we went to Shifnal, and how I learnt about this little town…stay tuned!!) We celebrated Easter by engaging in church concerts and plays and for the first time in my adult life I cooked and ate Mackerel! 

I also managed to have some adult time in that I got to chill with two of my girls one evening, a much needed girls night and me and my mister enjoyed a complimentary dinner at the Albrighton in Shrewsbury, eating the most exquisite meal and desserts while watching the sunset behind the scenery of the lake. What a glorious time. I was just glad for the most part that I got a break from cooking dinner, washing laundry and doing dishes, if only for one night.

Epiphanies

Last month into this, I was able to achieve a goal that I didn’t think I was capable of. After talking about it many times, I took the plunge and signed up for swimming lessons. For over a year throughout the seasons, yes even in cold dreary winter, I took my happy self to swimming lessons. I got to the point where I felt that I had learnt all that I needed. I had regained my confidence, learnt different swimming techniques and became a stronger swimmer. I was literally saying to my daughter that the only reason I was still going was because I couldn’t “tread water”. Low and behold the next day I went to my usual weekly swimming class and at the end of the class our tutor took us into the deep pool and told us to jump in. Ehhhhhh ehhhh my sistah oh…my brudda …come look at dis! I was doing the thing I didn’t think I could! I walked out of that pool like a boss and I haven’t been back to lessons since lol. Taking me out of my comfort zone revealed something I didn’t even know I possessed. That is a WORD!

I will try to go swimming at least once a month but now I can take that money and invest in myself in a different area. I thought of taking up sewing classes, but I’m more leaning towards doing a writing course. Which one do you think I should do guys? Please comment below and let me know.

This month I’ve watched myself and my children improve in different areas or step into new or unfamiliar territory and you know what I like it. I love that we are not stuck to something or so afraid that we’re unwilling to try something new. I look at my daughter and I am inspired by her discipline and commitment to learning. Everyday she comes in from school, has her chill time and then studies into the night. She makes time for her skating, eager to show me what new trick she’s learnt, happy to have a go by herself, with her phone in hand to snap and her music to roll- sorry skate to. Then I have the pleasure of listening to her pinging away on her keyboard and singing some days. I call her ‘Dinyka-Keys’. Then my lil man (I need to find a new nickname for him, since he doesn’t like this) has dabbled his toes into new avenues. I’ve seen him grow in confidence in swimming and performing to a large audience. I remember just before lock-down I enrolled him into swimming lessons, that child did not let go of the instructor’s neck! Then It was the ledge of the pool that was his saving grace but I was able to witness with much delight as he swam across the pool, no arm bands, no floating device, no neck to be his saving grace! It made me sit and think that sometimes we get so bogged down with life, being frustrated with everything that we’re doing that we miss how far we’ve come.

Today I’m reminding you that whatever goal you’re working towards, “Progress is good. No matter how slow!” So continue that business venture, keep up with that exercise routine, keep learning that foreign language, every step you take or moment spent in your craft or activity will propel you to the next level.

So as we bid farewell to April and saddle up for May, take some time to appreciate all you or your children have achieved, learnt or done  this month and keep showing up and being the star that you.

Until next time…God be with you and yours…Besos😘

P.S remember you can find us on instagram https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsinglemum?utm_source=qr&igsh=anJoNzBhMGNndDY4