So. Maybe you have been wondering what happened to me. Or, maybe you got sick of seeing the same post pop up, day after day, and gave up on me a while ago. For the past few months, I've been waging an epic battle familiar to women everywhere - - trying to maintain balance. Balance between housework, child-rearing, laundry, taking care of my husband, taking care of my children, and so on and so forth. Like many women, anything to do with my own self-care, such as reading, hobbies, exercise, time alone, etc., tends to falls by the wayside. The more unbalanced life feels, the more out-of-whack things become, it seems. I love to write, so when I go days and then weeks without updating my blog, it is a clear indicator to me that things are not in line. Tonight, after every one else was tucked into bed, I decided to ignore the clothes in the dryer that were waiting to be folded and put away, and the dirty dishes lined up on the counter top. Instead, I poured myself a lovely glass of Riesling, got out some nail polish, and turned on "Three Sheets" (um...that show is HI-larious). I suppose this is all I really need to do - - ignore the chores...they will always be there...and instead make time to unwind here and there. Seriously, I think half of the time I am my own worst enemy. So, I'm asking all of you busy women out there, whether you have children or not, how do you make time for yourselves? Do you stay up late? Do you get up early? Do you hire a babysitter? Do you lock yourself in the basement? Does self-care come easily to you (meaning, do you make it a priority), or is it something you struggle with? I can't wait to hear what you all have to say.
6 comments:
self care what's that???? LOL I'm so with you Heather. I'd have to say though going to bed a little early to read a book always helps me. OR at lunchtime letting the kids eat at the table making myself something different and watching a t.v. show I like (as much as they seem to think my favorites are Code Name Kids Next Store, Word world, and Krypto the superdog Or in the husband's case Ax Men, Greatest Planes, and anything else on the military or hunting channel There REALLY NOT!) above all self care for me demands a glass of wine. (= good Luck let me know when you figure it out maybe we could unwind together! ALSO I'm so serious here turning on great music and singing and dancing like no one is looking even though the kids are staring mortified my by there mother. Except Wess he still thinks I'm cool (=
Depends on what I need for self care. I have NO problem taking time to read a book... laundry, dinner, kids... they just melt into the background if I'm reading and I do read a lot in the winter. However, I don't always feel like that is "self care." I must have some alone time and often that means locking myself in my room, fan blowing on high and tuning out all other distractions to re-center on Jesus. I'll park the kids in front of the TV if they're home for me to do this.
What I'd like self care to be?? tanning. I love going tanning. I'm sorry but it's true.
For me, self-care mostly means doing things like reading, crafting, exercising...stuff like that. I do think I cause a lot of the problem because I don't "take" the time to do those things, mostly because it doesn't ever feel like there "is" time to do that. Working on it!
I struggle with this constantly! However, I have found time to exercise every day by buying a video and I exercise with Cole! At first it was hard to do with him around but now he loves to do it with me and laugh at me sometimes too! LOL. Today, he sat quietly and played while I exercised! Now I need to figure out how to do everything else...one step at a time though right?
I found that I had to stay up late at night for "me time" when my three were younger. Gosh sometimes just going to the grocery store by myself was a treat. You are taking a step in the right direction just as your photo shows...everything will still be waiting tomorrow. Just try to set aside a few minutes each and every day for you.
Just wanted to add a quick clarification...this wasn't intended to be a "woe is me" post...I really am curious at other people's thoughts on this topic.
Jenn - - you are right...you kind of have to adjust self-care into your situation. I do the same thing with my exercise - - I know fresh air does both Griffin and I good, so usually we head out on a brisk walk each day after lunch. I get my exercise, and Griffin gets some down time, and sometimes, a nap! You cut your dress to fit your cloth...
Post a Comment