Self-care is a hot topic right now. They say moms need it. And maybe we do. But I think they’ve convinced us that it needs to be in neat little packages. That it needs to include a massage or a pedicure. That it needs to be an outing away from our family.
But what if they’re putting ideas in our head? What if it’s actually much simpler than that?
What if when the busy of life leaves us tired, and we use the end of the day for relaxing? What if when we get a few hours to just be at home, with no other responsibilities, we look around and take inventory of the little things that didn’t get done when we were tired? What if that is self-care?
My little is off playing with friends today. And I spent some time on me. But not the way you’d think. I didn’t go to the spa. I didn’t take a nap. I didn’t even get coffee.
I opened the windows and the doors and let the breeze and sunshine flow through the house.
I made my bed. I even fluffed the pillows.
I went for a run. I even stretched afterward.
I went to the post office to mail a package. I even sent the recipient the tracking number.
I mopped my kitchen and bathroom floors. I even got down on my hands and knees and cleaned those neglected corners.
I did a load of laundry. I even folded it and put it away.
I filled out some paperwork. I wrote some checks for the day my little needed stitches on her forehead. I even put them in an envelope with a stamp and took them to the mailbox.
I find it relaxing to come home after picking up the kids from school and smelling the clean and feeling the satisfaction to know you completed your To Do list for today, and ignoring that you probably won’t get it all done tomorrow. Today THAT is self-care.
