In the words of Winnie the Pooh…

I love quotes…something about the written word and coming across a simple sentence or two that speak to you in ways nothing else can. 

LOVE IT!

I came across this specific quote the other day while looking on pinterest (as I do like 90% of my day) and it was one of those that really spoke to me.  I needed to read this quote at this point in my life.

The wise Winnie the Pooh, haha! After having moved back to Zanesville and becoming a stay at home mom I have found it really, really hard to branch out and meet people.  Ellie is not old enough to really get involved in a ton of classes, so meeting other parents that way doesn’t work that well.  I don’t work outside of the home…so that eliminates meeting people that way.  We don’t really go out to bars and stuff very often…so no people meeting that way. 

When I read this quote I realized I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and get my butt off the couch and find other ways to meet people.  I needed to step outside of my comfort zone…which is soooooo hard to do sometimes, and I needed to get creative.

The first thing I did was start to blog more, and to read more blogs…and comment, and try and reach out to other mom bloggers and find connections that way.  So far, it has been a learning experience, but reading about how other moms are going thru similar things and having them comment on my blog really has helped me feel more connected to something.

The second thing I did was attend a local moms group called MOPS which stands for mothers of preschoolers…but that means moms of children from birth clear on up to school age kiddos (the name is a little confusing)  You can find information on this and see if there is one in your area by going to their website HERE.  I was so nervous to attend this meeting for so many reasons.  It would be the first time I would be leaving Ellie in a random room for childcare (they offer free childcare), I didn’t know a single person there…it was out of my comfort zone…it was making me vulnerable…I didn’t know what to expect.

Blah, blah, blah…all these negative thoughts swirling around my head!!!

It ended up being so nice.  The childcare was perfect…right down the hall from where I was so I could check on her every few minutes until I was convinced she was ok. The women were so welcoming and friendly and I didn’t feel out of place at all.  It was really nice to have a group of women that can relate to you as a mom and as a woman.  I am so glad I ventured out of my corner of the forest for this one!!!

I have also been trying to think of other ways to meet new people…workout classes, signing Ellie up for story time at the local library…

You get the point…anyone else every find it hard to step outside your comfort zone???