It is a new year, which means it is a new opportunity to make your self-care a priority. If you have read anything from The91Rewind, you know that this is a very important topic to me. What you might not know is that I am not always the best at carving out time for self-care. The truth is that self-care will never be a priority if we don’t make it a priority.
When we are in the thick of motherhood,
It is really easy to focus on everyone else’s needs at the expense of our own. The problem with this is that it leads to us being burnt out, resentful, and not in the best headspace. As my youngest is approaching two, I am approaching my breaking point. Fortunately for me, my mother saw the writing on the wall, and stepped in and stop me from putting myself on the back burner.
Thank goodness my mother encouraged me to make my self-care a priority.
It started in late fall that my neck and shoulders were getting really tight. I knew that a massage and a trip to the chiropractor would help clear things up, but I didn’t go. I kept focusing on what my kids needed, what my husband needed, what work needed me to do, and I pushed my needs aside. As the days got closer to Christmas, my neck was hurting more than ever. As if that wasn’t enough of a reminder, my hip began hurting and the pain was radiating down my leg to my foot. I scheduled my long overdo chiropractor appointment, and my mom scolded me. It had been TWO years since I had been to see her for a massage.
I am aware of the blessing my mother is to me…
because not everyone’s mother is a massage therapist or someone who understands the importance of self-care. I know this, BUT I am also someone that doesn’t want to inconvenience others. I was putting off seeing her because I didn’t want to make more work for her. Her reminder (the last time I went to see my mother for a massage was when I was PREGNANT) was the wakeup call I needed.
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I was not making myself a priority.
But, over the holiday break, I got my chance. I went to see the chiropractor to get adjusted and put back into alignment. I had a mother-daughter date with my mother to float, where we tried an infrared sauna and (of course) we floated. It was a GLORIOUS afternoon of refreshment that I needed. A few days later I went to see my mom for my massage, and she got my muscles all relaxed.
I am renewed and committed
to making my care a priority. I’m making plans to go float again in the spring. If I plan it, it will be something to look forward to. I also plan to talk with my mom about scheduling regular massages when it’s most convenient for her. I’m working on making self-care a habit, a regular part of my routine. It will take some effort, but I’m worth it.
Start small. It doesn’t have to be a whole afternoon. Maybe it’s a ten-minute walk before work, treating yourself to a pedicure, or special lunch. We can make self-care a priority, all it takes is a little planning. Won’t you join me in finding time for self-care?
