After a very difficult few months, I have struggled with trying to 'do it all' and to 'be all the things'...you know, that mother who is on top of all her child's academic and emotional needs and can schedule driving lessons and appointments with ease; the wife who creates a clean and uncluttered home for her husband to come home to, complete with a meal cooked from scratch; the daughter who supports her grieving family by being available for appointments or just to be together. We all have our own unique variation of this "being all the things"; but where does that leave us? In my case, it left me exhausted, overwhelmed, angry, and sad. I finally reached my limit yesterday and took a day to stay home, and while I did clean up the house, I also gave myself permission to play in my art journal and have a bath! Did I feel guilty? Absolutely! And then, while soaking away the stress and letting the mental chatter of my to-do list flow down the drain, I was struck by a sense of peace, and even joy. I had put myself first; listened to my body and my needs, and I felt revived and hopeful. But what does this apparently selfish act mean for everyone around me? A new and revitalized me, willing to face the season with renewed spirit! I had been reminded that taking care of myself meant I was better equipped to help those I love: I'd found the *joy* of self-care.
If you are feeling the seasonal stress, why not schedule some time for yourself and see if you too can find the joy in self-care!
