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Self Care 101

The universe is trying to send me a message.  It has been trying for a while now but I have ignored it.  The message became much clearer to me over the Christmas Break, however.  Unfortunately, it took a trip to Emerg, twice daily trips to the local hospital for IV anti-biotics for a condition that usually happens to people who have a suppressed immune system (helloooo?!), and a cancelled trip to Disneyland to finally force me to hear the message.

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Since my not-so-fun wake up call, all signs have been pointing toward taking better care of myself.  It's not like I have been completely unaware that I have not sufficiently been giving love to my mind and body for the last few years but how does one find the time for themselves as a working, 24/7, 365 days a year single Mum?  Now however, I am well aware that the list of little health issues that have appeared for me as I approach my 40th birthday, are there to let me know that it is no longer a choice but a necessity, to find a way to fit in the things that make me healthy and help me to feel fulfilled.

On point articles and quotes are appearing in my social media feeds, friends and co-workers are sending me memes and supporting me at every turn, and links to free digital books about getting what you want out of life are showing up in my in-box.  It is time.

 Being the all-or-nothing person that I tend to be, I am currently trying to wrap my head around the idea that self-care doesn't necessarily have to be Bootcamp three days per week and training to walk/run a half marathon, as it was before I became pregnant six years ago.  For me, it is going to be small steps and small changes to work toward carving out some time to take care of me and finding time for the things I love.  It is going to start with a trip to my Dr, eating clean more days than not (minus the guilt on "bad days"), trying some new healthy recipes, dabbling with some meditation, and giving myself permission to leave work earlier so that I can park at home and walk to daycare to pick up my son.  I am even tossing around the idea of trying a short juice cleanse!  And by short, I am talking a one day cleanse!  Baby steps now! 




I know we have heard it time and time again.  Taking care of ourselves will only help to make us better in all areas of our life; better at our jobs, better parents and an example to everyone that we can bounce back from difficult times and make ourselves a priority, in order to be a shining light for everyone around us.  As long as I can remember all of this and put all of the above into practice over the next little while, you will be able to find me at Disneyland at Spring Break.  I will be the one glowing like a shining light and smiling ear to ear!

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I would love to hear how you fit in self-care!  Feel free to share your ideas!
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