When I first started reading Kate from Pouting in Heels “Non-Negotiable” list I wondered what on earth a non-negotiable list was, then I read on and smiled.  So when Hannah from Hi Baby tagged me to write my very own non-negotiable list I couldn’t wait to get started on my own happy list of non-negotiables.

But what is a non-negotiable list?

I mean the only time I have ever written these are when big purchases are about to happen, a car, a house, a pram.  Not for everyday normal life. The things that are a MUST. That you won’t compromise on.

And the more I thought about it the more it makes sense.  There are only so many hours in the day, the week, the month, the year, if I don’t do what really makes me happy then the time speeds by without me noticing and it’s been a year, two or even more, where I haven’t done anything that is just for me.  Something which should be non-negotiable.  By making it non-negotiable I’m in effect making it happen, I will make myself make time for these things.  They are what make me happy and we all deserve some sunshine and happiness in our lives.

My Non-Negotiable List

Make time for daily snuggles

There is something about cuddling, whether it be my big boy throwing his arms around my neck for a squeeze, cradling the Baby to sleep or just having a laid back cuddle on the couch with the husband.  You can never have too many cuddles and no matter what else I’m doing I want to stop to get lost in the moment.  If I’m already mid-snuggle with one of my boys then it’s just time to all pile in together.

Monthly Date Night

I love my husband. He is my best friend. My confidante. The person that makes me laugh more than anyone I know, he is funny, sarcastic and disparaging. I have had so many moments where I have cried, tears dripping off my chin, at something he has said. We always have fun together and I miss the times we were able just to spontaneously decide that tonight we were going out for drinks, to the cinema, we were off to boss the pub quiz. These day it takes more planning and effort to peel ourselves off the sofa, but date night with my husband puts the fizz back, gives the giggles back and reminds us we are more than Mummy and Daddy, sleep deprived and bickering over who’s lie in it is. A minimum of a monthly date night, even if it is to go (and lose spectacularly in the pub quiz) makes it into my non-negotiable list. It’s a given. Every month. Us time.

Professional Photographs

I love photographs, documenting my boys as they grow up and while I am getting better. My Instagram is filled with carefree happy snapshots of the boys. BUT at least once a year I want to make sure we have a family shoot. Where I’m in front of the camera. Laughing with my boys. Cuddling with my husband. Capturing perfect moments in time to hang immortalised on our walls. Showcasing growth, newborns to babies to toddlers to preschooler to child to tween to teen to man. And I’m ahead of the game here this year, having had a shoot with Sophia Mattia back when the Baby was 3 weeks old we are in the process of booking our leaving Dubai shoot a year on with a much bigger baby than before!

Good Coffee and even better Carrot Cake

Life is too short for bad coffee and we all have different favourites, for me it’s the milky caffeine hit of a latte coupled with a flavour bursting carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting. Shared of course. This is my indulgence. My time with my boys. Our treat for facing the shops.

Time to run

Now this does not necessarily make me happy at the time, nor even afterwards. But it IS something that is non-negotiable. It is something I need to do. I run for the sense of achievement. I run to keep fit. I run to stay healthy. I run to keep up with my boys. I run for me. I run for them. It is something I am all too quick to stop, so I am making it non-negotiable.

And I will hit my #Miles4MAMA target….

Passing the Non-Negotiable List Tag On

I’d love to see your lists

Becky – Cuddle Fairy
Jo – Momma Boss
Debbie – My Random Musings
Prabs – Absolutely Prabulous
Claire – Life, Love and Dirty Dishes
Abbey – The Son and The Moon
Zeyna – Mummy on My Mind

The rules are simple, link back to Kate’s original non-negotiable list, give me a little shout for nominating you then decide what in your life needs to be non-negotiable then spread the love. Et voila. The non-negotiable list continues…..