Self-Care

Self-care… What do you think of when you hear those words? Lots of people think of these words as a sign of weakness. I believed this myself. Is it truly a weakness though to take care of yourself?

This past year has been the hardest of my life. We are still a long way from things being ok. During this past year I would run myself into the ground with work, kids, and worry. I was putting all of these things first before anything else. My physical and mental health began to suffer massively.

Even with all the changes I have done to improve my physical health the previous year, it was catching up with me. My body was growing weaker from all of the load I was carrying everyday. I was dragging more and more each day. I was so restless and exhausted. I would rather of stayed home sleeping cause my body was so run down. I could feel my body giving up on me.

My mental health was suffering in ways I had never encountered either. I was trying to help my children with their depression, anxiety, and fear, while making sure I didn’t become depressed myself. I was also fighting with my mind telling me all my faults. The words my kids called me would just echo through my mind. I began having anxiety attacks from this. The mind is such a fragile thing if we don’t train it to think on positive things.

So how did I improve my life from all of this going on? I learned to put myself first. I had to! If I don’t do that, then how am I any use to anyone? I became more vocal to my hubs about how I needed more breaks. He completely agrees. Then I spoke to each of our kids about how things were going to be from now on. I told them I would let them know when I was having an off day. Then they knew to go to dad with things for the evening.

We also had to put down a few more house rules about when they were to come home and when house work was to be completed by. With these timeframes in place I didn’t spend all night waiting and worrying over when they would come home. I also knew when my home was to be quiet for us all to be sleeping or in rooms. I needed this quiet time to be set in place so my mind would sleep. Before we put this in place my entrance doors became revolving, always opening and closing and never quiet.

I am definitely still working at this self-care thing. Life has improved for my mental and physical health. Self-care is not selfish! Don’t let anyone make you feel bad. We as women have to do this for ourselves. You are not any good to any one if you don’t put yourself first.