Christmas Cinderella

I haven’t painted since December started. That wasn’t my plan but that is what happened. I thought I would take the first few days, get my shopping done, my ducks in a row and I would dive back in. 

I keep Christmas pretty simple. I don’t do Elf on the Shelf. I don’t have set in stone traditions. And yet, somehow it fries my brain. I have gone to the grocery store so many times. I remember little things, stocking stuffers etc. I think of other things I need while I am shopping for Christmas related things. Knowing my kids will be out of school soon makes me feel like I need to squeeze it all in while I can and yet I don’t seem to get as much done. 

When I was 3 my favorite movie was Cinderella. I am not as into other Cinderella stories so I like to think it was because of Mary Blair, but it also may have just been the only movie we had on video. Anyway, Cinderella can go to the ball IF she gets all of her work done and then her stepsisters just make the list longer and longer. Cinderella is a bit naive to think she can do it all and yet that is the most relatable part. Why do we always think we can do it all? 

Cinderella-ism can happen to us at any time of the year. We take care of other people first, do what is expected of us and then there is not enough time left over for us. It has taken me time to be able to leave things undone around my house, ignore it, and go paint, but I do it. 

Christmas though, makes it harder. So I am trying to relax, stop thinking of things I need to do, and how I should go to the Post Office and go draw. I am trying to not add to my list or to let anyone else. Society likes to make the lists for moms longer and longer, impossibly long. I feel like the list of how to be a good mom never ends. But I am going to try to make my own list and keep it short.