Self-care isn’t Selfish

You ever find yourself in a season where you’re so exhausted that you can’t best your

“best-self” to those you truly care about. 🙋🏾‍♀️ I’m so there!

I’m not even going to start naming the roles I hold in life because after the first few, the rest start to sound like a burden when that’s far from true. Sometimes after trying to be everything for everyone you become so physically and mentally drained you don’t have the strength to be anything to anyone. That’s definitely a path that everyone should avoid!

I’ve always looked at self-care as a luxury. Never have I seen value in taking time to go do something as therapeutic as going to take a long bath. This, to me, always sounded like a way to waste time and my time is everything to me!

Being a working-Mom has taught me more about adulthood faster than anything has ever done. I’ve learned that without self-care, I am extremely unpleasant to be around.

Unfortunately, those that live with me get to witness that more than anyone else that I may filter my worst-self from.

Over the past couple of months, I feel that my short-temper and snippy remarks were at an all time high. Stress does that to me and while inexcusable, it’s my reality! I have apologized to my kids and husband more times than I can count for screaming in situations where I may have over-reacted.

One thing that I can appreciate though is the wonderful guy that stands by me through it all, My husband! When it would be easy to duel it out and feed into my negative energy, he says nothing (most of the time).

This makes me irritated at times because when I am really mad, sometimes I am seeking an argument 😩. But I married someone who does not argue or raise his voice (at me at least).

He instead constantly encourages me to find time to take care of me! He knows that when I’m relaxed and I’ve taken time for self-care, not only am I better wife and mother, but I am my best-self.

I can remember my pre-kids and pre-spouse days when I would easily find time to work-out 5days a week, minimum. While I did this for aesthetics💪, this habit truly made me feel great mentally. I believe that the discipline aspect of doing this for the greater part of 8 years, helped me reached most success that I’ve managed to achieve from my college years and into adulthood. The discipline of taking time out of my day to focus on self-care was something I always belittled, however, I now see the value.

While I am a working mother of three little ones, I know it is possible to find balance. I’ve been guilty of assuming it was impossible to balance things but thanks to the reminders of those close enough to me, I’m on the path to making this a part of my normal.

Look at it this way...if you didn’t eat enough during the day, would you be able to properly function and think to accomplish your daily tasks? If you did not take time to bathe daily, would others want to me around you?

When you don’t take time for self-care, whether you currently are right now or not, can you be your best-self for others?🧐

Whether you are a working mom, stay-at-home-mom, not-even-a-Mom, or anyone in between, I encourage YOU to make time for yourself to do something you enjoy.

Just as you somehow make time to feed your body 2-6x daily, or bathe 1-2x daily, make it normal to do something else you enjoy for yourself.

Working-out, going to get a massage, pedicure, girls-day-out should no longer be looked at as an excuse to get out of your normal daily obligations. These things or whatever you consider as “self-care” is it’s own obligation to yourself to be the best version of yourself daily!

Do me a favor and share 1-2 things that you enjoy for self-care in the comments below. Be blessed!❤️

-Adero