Self Care

My schedule is crazy-busy.

Work, then the other job, then the other job, then the fourth job, then making sure the fifth job is getting done by the children...

Oh, and the children:

They are the most important of all...

Are they fed? Are they well? Do they have school stuff? Of course they do.

Is the house clean-ish? Is there toilet paper? Is there running water? Is there heat? Are there enough blankets?

Is there medicine for the colds and tummy bugs floating through my home?

Do the boys need extra loves and extra doses of comfort? 

Are the bills paid?

Are the cars running?

Are appointments being made and attended to?

The list truly goes on and on and on...

Single parenthood is not for the weak, I tell ya!

T reminded me last night that I am going to collapse.

She reminded me that I have to do my self care in between all of this.

And, she's right.

I have only been going to the gym 2-3 days a week.

That's not enough for me.

My body and my mind need that time - with my ear phones in and my Diet Coke and just work.

Walk, lift, stretch... work my body and connect my mind and my body together. 

I need to be there 5+ days a week.

I went Saturday and it was just what I needed.

After I dashed for seven hours, I went to get my nails painted.

This place has been my happy place since my stroke.

They are SO good to me.

They painted my nails, then rubbed my arms and my hands... just because.

Then they told me to go sit in one of the new massage chairs.

Aunt Flo rubbed my feet and my legs, painted my toes, took off all of the dead skin from the entire summer... while I fell asleep in the chair. Literally.

Sweet Jackie, in the background never allows me to pay... and if she does, it's never full price.

It was exactly what I needed.

We have to take care of ourselves. 

Physically, emotionally, spiritually.

Self care may look different for you than it looks for me.

And, that's okay.

Do what is best for you.

Without self care, we cannot conquer what is in front of us each day.

And, it's a lot.

For some, it might be drinking a hot chocolate.

Or sitting in a bath by ourselves - without children!

It might be baking cookies.

It might be face-timing a friend.

It might be working out, or going for a walk.

It might be sitting outside for an hour.

It might be reading for 15 minutes.

Listening to a podcast of music.

Whatever it is, do it!