I talk a lot about self care and making sure to take care of you before burning yourself out. But let’s be real. I talk a good game and don’t always do what I say.
I am a self-proclaimed workaholic. My brain really never shuts off. Add in being a mom of 2 and a fur baby, a skincare business, a health and nutrition coach, a caregiver, and a business owner, and I’m pretty much always on.
And I continue to pour from an empty cup and wonder why I’m always so exhausted and burnt out. I mean… I guess I don’t really wonder. I KNOW why. I just don’t make the active choice to make any changes.
Until last week.
I’m learning to use my voice and communicate when I really need something. Not just hold it in until I explode. Which, believe me, is NOT the right way to handle things.
On Thursday, yes, a week day, I told Nick what I wanted and needed. And he was open to letting me have that.
I don’t know if I expected him to be mad or upset for speaking up… but I’m glad he just said, “Okay, if that’s what you want to do.”
I mean, he’s been telling me for awhile to take me time. To schedule it in our calendar. I just always find an excuse not to. There’s always something more pressing. More urgent. As if taking care of myself isn’t important.
As I sat in the chair getting a pedicure, by myself, listening to the silence (sometimes it really is golden), I realized this is 100% something I need to do more often. I set my phone to the side and leaned back, enjoying the massage chair and the massage of my feet and legs, closed my eyes and just enjoyed it.
I let the stress of the week go, stopped trying to constantly “find” some type of work to do, and just… sat. Relished in it.
Nobody needed anything. I wasn’t being asked to do anything. Nobody said “mom, mom, mom” on repeat. I didn’t have to be “on.”
My hope is that I don’t forget this. That I start scheduling this in more often. And that Nick also allows himself more self care time. Because I know his self care time looks way different than mine!
I also hope you take the time for YOU. Because you deserve it. You deserve to fill your cup too!
I hope you have a beautiful week. And you take the time to do at least one thing (selfishly) for yourself.
We’ll see you in the gym.
With love,
Whitney
