What To Do When There's "No Time For Me"
Self-care has become so overused that it’s lost almost all meaning. It conjures up luxurious, glamorous lifestyles, time-consuming rituals, and expensive products and procedures....
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU HEARD..."You can’t pour from an empty cup”? (I SAY IT. ALOT!)
Kids (didn't I just feed them?), "keeping house"(how many empty and half-empty glasses can you find strewn throughout the house?), work (as if the prior two weren't work), commitments, deadlines, significant others, and the every-present-never-done laundry.
AND YOU THINK I HAVE TIME TO SIT, LUXURIATE, AND PAMPER MYSELF???
HAH!
HERE’S THE THING!!
As impossible as "finding the time for you" might sound, as selfish as it might seem, the truth of the matter is simple. You can’t be at your best for your family if you aren’t taking care of yourself.
To paraphrase Ayn Rand - The mom who does not value herself, cannot value anything or anyone.
So, what's a mom to do?
Take time for yourself. Simple...but simple is not always easy.
I know, you love your kid(s) to death and would do anything for them. And you have a gazillion things on your to-do list. And it feels like there’s no time for you. And I’m not talking about neglecting them or not taking care of their needs for food, clothing, love, and attention.
I’m not talking extravagant here... I’m talking about the basics - being kind to yourself, exercise, nutrition, hydration, sleep, some time to rest…
IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS TAKING A BATH, READING FOR 5 MINUTES, LISTENING TO YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC, RELAXING WITH A CUP OF YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE, OR TAKING A WALK.
It's a matter of doing something - anything - that you enjoy everyday.
Even if for a few minutes.
BECAUSE if you don’t make the time for you...
you’ll be short with your kids,
your patience will dwindle,
you’ll second guess yourself,
and things won’t get done.
You just won’t be your best self. You’ll go to bed feeling guilty about the way you handled things... and you’ll feel inadequate as a spouse/parent.
Plus, taking the time to care for yourself is also how you teach your kids to take care of themselves.
"If you aren’t good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you’ll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren’t even giving to yourself."– Barbara De Angeli
So, if you're having trouble figuring it out on your own...let's chat. I'll help you carve out the time that you need.😊
Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:
1. Not a member of the Encourage Greatness private Facebook community?
Click here to join. We'd love to have you! 2. Get coaching, accountability, and support as you go through the ages and stages of parenting. Click here to join the Encourage-Greatness 6-month program.
3. Get mentored by me. Every year, I have a limited number of spots for support and mentorship in a private, VIP day. It all starts with a phone call. Click here to start the process and see if we're a fit.
Not a member of the Encourage Greatness private Facebook community?
Click here to join. We'd love to have you!