Guest Post: Who am I?
Another beautiful guest for July, this time from Beth at Bethemed Designs. Be sure to follow her on Twitter and like her Facebook page to keep updated on what she is currently creating.
A bit about the author
Beth Murrison is a stay at home mum of 2 very lively
toddlers. She recently started a new
business, Bethemed Designs, designing and creating bespoke artwork and
personalised accessories for kids. She has her fingers and toes crossed that she can successfully combine her business with
being a SAHM.
“Who am I?”
Who am I? Well, I’m many things, wife, daughter, friend. All
very straight forward ....then I became a Mum.
I longed to be a Mum and couldn’t have been happier when my
daughter Carys arrived and then 14 months later along came Ethan. What I wasn’t
prepared for was how much being a Mum dominated. Suddenly it became so
difficult to just think of myself and what I wanted. There was always a child
to be fed, wanting to play or a nappy to be changed. Now my youngest is 2.5yrs
old and is soon to be embarking on his
own journey starting nursery, we are
entering a new era. I’ve rediscovered the ability to think about me again. There are still children to be fed, bottoms
and noses to be wiped along with some bizarre and random conversations to be
had. Lots of trampolining and imaginary games to be played. What changed? I
don’t know but I started question myself about what I wanted to do.
Unfortunately I had no idea. I couldn’t (wouldn’t)
go back to investment banking. Missing out on precious time with my little ones
wasn’t an option.
One weekend the kids were staying at grandparents to allow
me to decorate their rooms. Little did I
know how inspirational this would turn out to be. I had a fantastic weekend. Ethan now has his name on his wall with
rockets and the moon, aeroplanes in the sky. Carys has her name entwined in
flowers with butterflies and bees.
My husband
(ever the practical and wise one) looked from my beaming face to the kids walls
and stated the obvious - “that’s what you can do.”
That was in May 2012 and now I have created ‘Bethemed
Designs’ or should I say we, as this is a family venture. The kids help with ideas and sit at the table
with me making their own creative master pieces whilst I work on designs. They love
to see the designs coming to life on canvas.
I’m currently
designing an alphabet canvas which Carys as contributed to and continues to
amaze me with her ever expanding knowledge. Not only does she tell me in English
what I’m drawing but also in Spanish. Kids
are just little sponges enthusiastically soaking up information. This thirst
for knowledge did lead to an eventful dinner one evening. I’m lucky to have two very good non fussy
little eaters. Well actually I have one
non fussy eater and a human disposal unit cunningly disguised as a little boy.
How much do boys eat? We were trying something new for dinner and Carys decided
to tell me her opinion as she frequently does. “No me gusta” are the words that
she picks after trying her food. She’s mumbling with her mouthful, is my first
reaction, so she repeats the statement.
Obviously realising that she is smarter than her parents she explains “It’s
Spanish (with a roll of the eyes) it means’ I don’t like it’. I never thought I
would be so proud of my daughter saying she didn’t like her food.
My main challenge now
is time management . I’m sure there are Mums everywhere trying figure out how
they can achieve what seems to be the impossible. I’m learning to manage my
time more efficiently. I had a rocky start when ‘Bethemed Designs’ started. I would sit down to paint a product that had
been ordered once the kids were in bed
and I’d think oops forgotten to put the washing on or I’ve not done the ironing
or sorted the kids have clothes for tomorrow. Thoughts I suspect echoed in most
family households. Why is it, as Mums, we feel the need to be in control of
everything (or maybe this is just me)? Thankfully I have a very helpful and
considerate husband who is a very hands on Dad therefore I do not need to deal
with everything. The main question is why it has taken me 3.5 years to realise
this?
I certainly haven’t got my time management anywhere near
perfect yet but I’m happy that I focus on one thing at a time (my new motto). I
have accepted and relish that the morning is my time with my son. Then in the
afternoon, when Carys is home from nursery, we are a trio with adventures to be
had. Why not make the most of this time
as this was the main instigator behind my decision about my work? These times
will not last forever.
Now I’ve realised that I’m not super woman, I can stop
stressing and focus 100% on what I am doing at that particular time and enjoy
seeing my kids and my business develop. New challenges are opportunities not
obstacles. Most importantly we are working as a family unit helping each other
out and having fun.
So back to my original question “Who am I?” Well right now I am a very happy Mum and wife,
still a very grateful daughter, a friend that meets for coffee more often and now
inspired creator of ‘Bethemed Designs’. I spend enjoyable, fun time, with my
family. I am doing something that I love designing and creating bespoke canvases and name plaques. I’m working
on creating personalised bags for kids and many more exciting new ideas. My brain is officially back to work, it and has
emerged from the child cocoon that it has been hibernating in. I can also declare
‘I’m me’. I’ve changed since having my kids but for the better and I am most
definitely a new, improved and fulfilled ‘me’.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethemedDesigns
Twitter: @Bethemeddesigns
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