Like most things that push you out of your comfort zone, I found reason after reason to put off writing this.
Every time I would get the creative spark to write – there’s laundry to fold, kids to feed, dishes to wash, TV to catch up on, a house to clean, a family to snuggle… and truthfully, these things are everything I never knew I always wanted.
But if I’m honest, I found myself continually saying “something is missing”. But as I sit here writing (actually by hand because we don’t have a laptop and THAT was one of my reasons to procrastinate), my mind comes to life and I can’t get the words out fast enough. There is so much I want to share and do and give to anyone who will accept it and until now I’ve been ignoring that craving.
During the most recent episode of “The Stay at Home Mom: overworked and under-appreciated” is when I had my revelation.
My husband, Scott, was saying the right things: “You are appreciated, I know it’s hard, you do a great job, the kids love you…” AND he was saying the wrong things: “I’m at work all day too and I can’t just stop even though I may want to sometimes”. And then it hit me and I said “Well, you know what…. I COULD. I could stop doing laundry and no one would complain; they would just take stuff out of the hamper and wear it dirty. I could stop trying to make “edible” clean meals; chicken nuggets and tots all day, everyday would be fine with them. I could stop keeping every game and every puzzle together and organized; generally speaking no one seems to mind a mess or missing pieces. I could stop trying to keep the house clean; crumbs on the floor and junk on the counter don’t bother anyone but me.”
And it wasn’t the actual statements that shocked me the most – because in the most logical reality, and in my heart, I know they aren’t true.
No, what stopped me in my tracks at that moment is how regularly I let my brain travel to those thoughts. And I know this isn’t a unique narrative; most of you have probably felt this way at some point.
So, I will tell you that while I didn’t solve the problem immediately, I recognizedthat it was a problem that I couldsolve. Ideally I needed something to be proud of in addition to, but in no way controlled by, my primary job: being a mom and a home boss (this is a thing, right?). Essentially, something that married the two; something I could work on independently that would feed the creative edge and who knows, maybe even benefit others as well.
And Cate Before a Mirror was born.
(Well, there were a few more steps – I’m looking at you, Maskcara – but eventually this is where I arrived.) In this space you will find everything from mom-life hacks, to beauty and skincare products and application tips, to real talk and reflections on mental health, to DIY and design projects, to tried and true recipes and restaurants we love, and everything in between.
So, to all of you out there –
- the happy stay-at-home mom who lives everyday for her kids;
- the working mom who needs a quick dinner idea;
- a new mom suffering with postpartum depression with no support;
- the girl who just needs a good laugh;
- the woman in a rut, who looks in the mirror can’t see herself anymore;
- the newbie exploring the world of DIY;
- the college student trying to hide her eating disorder, afraid to reach out for help;
- the girl looking for a kindred spirit;
No matter who and where you are in life, may you find solidarity here. Because I am all of those people, too.
I’m not going to tell you much more about who I think I am – because you will see me as you want to see me – “in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions” but stick around, what you’ll find out is that “I’m a brain… and an athlete… and a basket case”… and a mom, and a wife, and an artist, and a creative spirit looking for a place to shine… and so much more.
(Oh and I’m also a compulsive movie quote-r… thanks, Breakfast Club!)
