So, I'm taking the Littles for a morning of fun at the local pool - it's not the easiest of tasks, at the ages of not-quite-two and not-quite-five, there are a lot of things to remember...change of clothes for all of us, swim stuff for all of us, swim diaper for one of us, shower stuff, correct change for the locker, snacks and drinks etc, etc, etc.
After 90 minutes of pure fun in the water and 15 minutes of playing in the shower, I realized I forgot a crucial item needed for the 30-minute drive home.
A diaper. #Oops
Before I chide myself for forgetting this irreplaceable item, (OMG, I'm such an idiot and related self-talk), I pause.
I give myself some grace (Steph, you remembered a lot of things for this little excursion and you just forgot one little thing, that's pretty good!).
I went back out to the pool, found some parents with a child about the same age, explained my situation and graciously accepted a clean diaper from them.
'They' (those who are smarter than me) call this the Zeigarnik Effect. That's when we tend to remember incomplete tasks more than completed ones (especially when someone else left it uncompleted! ).
Can you relate?
Could you use some self-compassion in the form of grace?
Could you be a little gentler with someone else who completed quite a bit but maybe not everything?
Could you ditch some of your guilt for the little thing you didn't do or finish by making a list and checking off all the things you did do?
Could you reward yourself for what you (or others) have completed?
We are all hopelessly human and the world is hard enough on us without us beating ourselves up for every little misstep.
Be gentle with yourself, ok?
Sending a supportive hug your way, Steph
