This seems to be common for people around our age, to be finally slowing down enough (because the kids aren't really babies anymore, technically) and finding time (FINALLY) to meet some our our needs. I know you will soar and find your bliss and I wish you all the luck in the world. Don't give up on your dreams.

In a way it sounds exciting. You may be on the verge of something great.

I'm working on a project right now that will either be a huge success, or a big embarrassment. We'll see.

Good luck,
Stephen

Another quote you may like: "Do what you love, the money will follow." You obviously have found your passion: photography; don't feel guilty about it, revel in it! Include the kids. Get them a cheap-o digital and let them click away. You'll both be involved, you can show them the pictures they took, and you won't feel like you're neglecting anyone. You can't take care of others until you take care of yourself. Wishing you the best...

Oh Kim. *sigh*
It is rather amazing how in blogging to preserve our children's lives and share with our family and others that we start to find ourselves. This is an amazing thing.
I'm so envious about your photography lessons!! I so want to take some.
I'll get there eventually.
Personally, I have loved seeing your growth and following you on your journey. I find you to be wonderful, darling and inspirational. I hope I am among those that you consider a friend.

Um, the guilt thing. I don't think it much goes away. It's a fact of mommyihood for a lot of us - we birth and we feel guilty for doing things outside of our family's enjoyment/needs. I even felt guilty for showering with Isobel in a bouncer in the bathroom at one point, because she hated not being held THAT much. All you can do, I think, is hold onto that line, "I have found that when I fill my tank up with me time, that I am better."

I think you'll feel MUCH better once you take your vacation and visit me. THAT will do it.

On a serious note, HUGS on every level. Love you.

I know how you feel... as much as I love my role of Mom & housewife, there's definitely more to life. I have the photography bug too! It's definitely a wonderful creative outlet. Go for it, and best of luck :-)

I hope that in another 7 months, you'll feel guilty for not feeding yourself enough. Moms are supposed to put their oxygen masks on FIRST, remember?

So, let me first say - WAY TO GO in exploring who you are - I agree with one of the comments above about this being our time of life to do this - I, too, have been on a similar journey (I know, shock, another similarity!) and am just absolutely LOVING how I feel as I pursue my passions and dreams... I am a better wife, a better mommy, a better employee and an all around better person because I am so much more whole.

Regarding the guilt thing... I am not convinced that it ever completely goes away, but it has lessened hugely for me over the past year, because the more I have figured out how to dive into my passions, the better I become at everything else. I have found many ways to incorporate my kids into what I am doing, so that they, too, are a part of the journey and it has been some of the most quality time we have ever had. I have also invested in some personal development workshops that have really helped me to figure out what my passions are, how to incorporate them into my life and how to adjust so that I am truly living the life I have always dreamed of.

I could go on and on - THIS is the theme of my life right now - I am truly loving my 30's and all of the self-discovery I have done, so I say - You go girl!

I'm a lot like that too, I make lists to make lists. I also think guilt is just a woman thing, I've never heard a man say, "I feel guilty." I'm just joking, sorta. Taking time for youself does make YOU better, but I think it makes you a better wife and mother too :)

I know this guilt. All too well. I think it's great that you are doing things for you. I think it's also great that you manage to keep the house running in tip top shape. I know I sure don't. But, I'm cool with that. I'm cool that the laundry isn't always done (well, not always folded with every load that comes out) and there's always toys SOMEWHERE. Because I've figured out something...it's okay (for me) to not be on top of things all the time...to just create...explore...live my life...enjoy it. I keep the house clean and sometimes even organized...but it could be way better. The thing is...I'm playing in the garden with the one year old, or blowing bubbles on the patio. And, I am finally starting to not feel guilty about that. It's a long journey ahead.

(((HUGS))) I totally think you rock.

I have no problem carving out me time. My rationale is as follows: by allowing myself me time, I recharge my dad batteries. Since my ultimate goal in life is to be the best dad I can be, the me time suddenly fits nicely into that equation. Oh, and we so need to fix that pesky word "yet."

I hope you do get rid of the guilt, because you totally deserve your own time, your own few minutes of life. I wish all mothers would realize this! I've heard many people say that it makes us better mothers, and I believe that.

I could have written very much of this post, especially the photography aspect of it. It's taken over so much of my life, but in a good, how-I-see-life kind of way! It's awesome and I am running with it. I, too, aspired to start a business (and I still do), but right now I'm thinking of other avenues to go down.

Great post, Kimmy. Have fun next week!!

You are not alone - sometimes venturing beyond our self-imposed labels (mom, wife, sister) is a little scary and often plagued with guilt. I'm sure you are wonderful at all the things you do, but you deserve a little "me" time too. I've been exploring what's beyond 'me' for a while and have found many new things to excite my creative outlet. It's an amazing world out there...go and enjoy it!
~K

I was surprised too at how important this blogging stuff has become.For me it is something that I do JUST for me, no one else... not Hubs, not my kids, even not my job (anymore.) I like the outlet it provides and the way it has forced me to look at life differently.

As always, wonderful post!

thought provoking post honey!!! it seems that you and i are in the same phase of our lives...crossroads. which is why i haven't been blogging as much. i have been exploring myself...reconnecting with who i am. trying to find who melissa is, aside from everything that i've been pigeonholed into.
awesome post!!!
xoxoox

guilt. hmmm. I don't think it will ever go away completely. But I think you should always remember this. YOU need to take care of yourself before you're able to take care of anyone else. If YOU are off, everything else is off. So yes, maybe you're feeling a little guilty. But if you took out all the "extra's", like blogging, you'd feel even worse because there isn't an outlet for YOU.

big big hugs

Catholic guilt is the worst - I deal with it daily. I feel I am coming upon that same crossroad of which you are speaking. There is so much I want to do for ME. I keep telling myself that in a few years I'll look back and laugh at all the time I wasted wishing that I could do something... different... and selfish. I just have to get in gear and do it, you know? And to realize that it really will make me a better mom and wife overall.

Loved your post Kim. So much of what you have been writing about recently captures how I feel as well.

Good for you doing things for you. I don't want to ever wake up and be 50 wishing I would have done such and such when the kids were little.

Thanks for letting us be apart of your journey! You really are a talented writer.

Probably not - we moms store it in the uterus. I love that your blog has opened you up to so many possibilities. Mine has been a lifeline for me. And we will talk more about that, my friend, in just a week...

Good for you for taking the time to find yourself... I'm slowly starting to day that bit by bit, day by day. I think it's healthy to have hobbies outside of your family. If you don't take care of you first - who will?

I know that guilt you speak of all too well. I often feel as if motherhood and guilt go hand-in hand. Good for you for finding a passion and time for yourself. I hope over time, the guilt will fade.

How awesome of you to take care of yourself! No way should you feel guilty about that. Now the multiple pairs of designer jeans, maybe a little guilt there... or maybe not ;-)

Awesome Kimmylyn. You got to go after whats important to you sometimes. You can be a good mom and follow your hopes and dreams at the same time. Have a blast following your path.

I sooooooooo get this post!!! I sooooooooo get this post. Have I said I sooooooooo get this post?

Yeah, but part of the great thing about being a woman is that we have these complicated, rich, deep hearts and souls that keep revealing new layers to us. We get to keep exploring, keep evolving, keep becoming. Building upon the old, springing up new. I think you're right in the thick of it, right where you're supposed to be.

Isn't it amazing that this whole blogging thing becomes so much more than a few words and pictures on a screen?

Talk about self-discovery. This was so honestly written. As you have already read, so many of us can relate. Having J, being in my 30s, not working for the first time since I was 14 . . . there is a lot going on in this old brain of mine. So, I completely get what you are saying. Heck, I think I'm living it.

The best wishes to you . . . you have quite an adventure ahead of you.

Yay for crossroads -- and coming to the realization of the need for "you" time. Also, just shake the guilt. Without recharging your "you" stuff, you have nothing give to anyone you love. (I know that's here somewhere before me... but bears repeating.) Awesome that you are coming to this right now -- a lot of women hit fifty and THEN realize, oops, the well is dried up. Go, recharge, get your you and shake shake shake that pesky guilt.

I am feeling the same exact way! A year ago, I was a mom. Just a mom. Not that that is bad, or is something I shouldn't have been, but I had nothing else in my life. Then I discovered blogging and have been introduced to a whole new world. And THEN I discovered photography and my world really was turned upside down.

I never even realized how much I needed blogging and a hobby such as photography until now. These things were the best things that have happened in a long time. I am still a mom..very much a mom....but now I also have new interests, new friends, new goals and am thrilled to be able to enjoy learning something new. I am not sure I will be blogging for the rest of my life, but I can't imagine ever giving up photography. I have fallen hopelessly in love with my hobby.

Great post!!!!!