Two weeks ago, I had a massage scheduled all in the name of “self care”. I’m a mom and I always look for opportunities to “TREAT YOSELF” lol (in my Tom and Donna voice for my Parks and Rec fans). Well, the night before I decided to cancel for two reasons. 1, it was on family day and sometimes I just like to chill with my hubby and the baby without having anywhere else to be. And 2, I just didn’t feel like having to pump and hustle about in order to be away from Dream. But I still wanted to enjoy that time I had set aside for myself, so here is what I did instead:
1. I made myself breakfast and enjoyed it IN SILENCE.
I’ve come to enjoy and look forward to a bowl of homemade oatmeal and a cup of my special coffee every morning, but I don’t often get to enjoy it without constantly side-eyeing Dream to make sure she is happy and safe. So this was a special moment. Keem and Dream were still sleeping so I had this little pocket of time just for me! Yaaasss! I left my phone in my bedroom, and made my way to the kitchen. No baby to keep an eye on, no husband to help out the door… just me, my breakfast and my thoughts/prayers! It was great!
2. I did a full yoga session, UNINTERRUPTED.
Yoga has been so good for this mom body. The stretches, both pre/postnatal, have helped me tremendously. And as much as I love working out, as a new mommy I rarely get to workout without Dream being RIGHT THERE. So this was a true delight. A bonus moment. A baby free, breath focused, energizing yoga session to get my day started! Another win!
3. I folded the laundry, while listening to one of my fave Les Brown talks, INTENTLY.
For some laundry is a task… but I actually enjoy doing/folding laundry. I know I’m special 😅. Listen, being in my own space (bringing order to that space), with no one else but myself to worry about in that moment, is EVERYTHING. Me and my jolly self, sat in the middle of the floor folding my little life away! I was so content!
One of my closest friends sent this to me after our check-in that morning, and it is totally worth sharing:
“It’s important to recognize the other ways we self-care! There is something to having a listing of things that invoke the same feelings of a massage but touch a different part of ‘self'”
So powerful! Yes a massage and a pedicure are amazing… but doing those things that evoke feelings of accomplishment, restfulness, and peace of mind are also vital ways to empower and care for “self”!
So I just want to encourage you. As you make the time for “self-care”, know that this isn’t a “one size fits all” kind of situation. I think along the way we’ve lost the focus… self care is literally caring for self…mind, body and spirit! And that doesn’t always HAVE to show up in the form of a trip to the salon. It can show up in the form of a nap, a workout or simply basking in the presence of our Good Good Father (AMEN, somebody)!!
So find what works for you and do just that. Look at the feelings and state of mind you wish to elicit, and embrace the practices that will keep you in that space.
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