The One Item a Month Box - a project and mini coping strategy whilst chasing motherhood. I've got something a little different to share with you all. For those who have been following my fertility posts, I hope they have been of some help so far. This series is a little personal project of mine, which I wanted to share over on the blog for a variety of reasons. Infertility is rubbish. I think it was on the Big Fat Negative podcast that it was described as 'the club no one wants to be a part of'. I'm trying to find ways to make it less rubbish.
One of the earliest coping mechanisms I've found since early January has been the one item a month box. I'm not sure if anyone else out there does this - but as it has turned a small inkling of a negative time into a positive (clever non?) in my life, I figured it was worth sharing.
One item a month is quite a simple idea - each month, I'm allowed to buy one baby or maternity related item. Simple as that. I promise I haven't gone barmy just yet ... or at least I think I haven't.
Not being pregnant, I find it so irritating when people I follow on Instagram are sharing their lovely maternity finds and it feels a million days away that it'll be my turn to buy those things. I love seeing these photos, I just dislike how much it feels me with sadness at times. As much as I love Pinterest-ing or saving photos on Instagram, I figured why not find a way to sensibly buy some items in preparation. Also, I figured out I have a bit of anxiety when it comes to physically looking at children's items in shops - I was out shopping with a friend last year in Jojo Mamam Bebe in Whitstable (where this very bunny is from) and I remember feeling so awkward and made excuses to wait outside, when really all I wanted to do was properly look at all the gorgeous maternity clothes & all the cute toys & babygrows. I think maybe I worried what shop assistants or other customers may ask me, or even my friend asking the question about 'when are you going to have kids?' because I felt so ashamed each month that it couldn't be my pregnancy announcement next. There's no shame in trying for a baby, and what I've come to learn on this journey is people are doing whatever it takes to get there, so why can't they enjoy the ride like everyone else?