A Path to Remember: Listen Up, Your Kids Might Teach You Something

Originally titled ‘Imperfection in a Perfect World of Social Media’, today’s post has been changed 3 times. That’s right, title #1 was copied and pasted here, straight from my working draft on WordPress. Then, edited to ‘Working Mom Style, a 3 Minute Photo Shoot’ to ‘A Path to Remember: Listen Up, Your Kids Might Teach You Something’. Today’s photos were shot last Thursday – a day that resembled something close to a 12 hour Mr.Toads Wild Ride. That evening, while previewing the photos my son took, my self critic kicked in…

Black felt hat needed to disguise the wet ponytail, mohair all over my black tee…and why a black tee? A pop of color, would have been much more fun, paired together with crop denim flares instead of these grey straight legs; slipped on in haste while grabbing my keys to head out the door…and how did I forget to put on lipstick? I always wear lipstick! My suede handbag, does it even match the look?

With thoughts of imperfection swirling in my head, the words for my first working title wouldn’t come. As I reflected on why the writers block it dawned on me; I couldn’t write about the day’s shortcomings because the day wasn’t a fail – it was perfect. And it was through the eyes of my child I was brought full circle.

As I was about to delete the photos into some cyber cave, my mindset shifted and I decided to share them today. Not as much about the outfit, today is a lesson learnt in being present in the moment. 

Our Story

4:30pm Thursday the text came in – my guy needed a pick up. I dropped my work at hand, grabbed my keys and was on my way. A million things on my mind; I had just launched my new website, RickandSuzanneBell.com eight hours earlier, a project I have been collaborating on with my husband and business partner Rick 24/7 over the past 2 months. Happy and relieved that all was going as planned, the day was still full of moving parts on top of an already busy day-in-the-life…you get the idea.  As I rolled up, my son ran over to the car with a big grin, full of excitement as he tossed his backpack into the car. This was our conversation,

“Mom, I have to show you something.”

“Oh buddy, Mom is swamped today, can we just go home?”

“Mom, no really, you have to come see this, I just discovered the coolest thing. It will only take 5 minutes.”

“Dude, I really need to get home.”

“Mom. I promise, you will be so happy.”

Well knowing 5 minutes kid time meant 30 minutes real time, but how could I say no? So what was this big exciting thing he’d discovered? A simple walking path. A beautiful nature path – one that spoke to him. He was so taken by the beauty of it all, he wanted to share it with me. Luckily he’s a persuasive kid or I would have missed out on this moment in life that was so precious. As we chatted about school, life and this beautiful discovery he had found all on his own, the business of the day disappeared for 45 minutes. Those 45 minutes got me through the next 3 days – when things got hectic, I pulled out our selfie strip and smiled. These are the perfect moments. Here’s a look at our path.

Outfit Deets: Cardigan, Hand Knit Mosiac Cardigan, Anthropologie. On sale, sold out online but here’s the info if you are interested, perhaps one can be found in a store (HERE) | Pilcro Straight Leg Jeans with DIY hem. DIY your jeans. I like this guide from the Fashion Slave Blog (HERE) | Side knot tee, Nordstrom | Suede Midi Boot, Aquatallia | ‘North South’ Suede Hobo, All Saints | Turquoise Pendant, Handmade

Kids, They Know Things

 How’d he know, this little side road adventure was just what Mom needed today?

Let’s Chat!

In a world of social media perfection, it is easy to be critical of ourselves. Do you ever find yourself caught up in negative self-talk? 

It’s easy to get caught up in our “list’s” and “to-do’s”, and forget what really matters most in life? How do you stay in the moment?

I invite you to drop me a line down below, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Stay present and have a fabulous week!