We live in a fast-paced world! If you’re single, and not a parent, even if you have a demanding job, the chances are that you can usually keep up with your life fairly well.
You may get tired, and need to rest and recuperate from time to time. But when that happens, you can pick up some takeout food, and go home for a nice, relaxing bubble bath, and an early bedtime. I know…this isn’t always the case, but it’s often doable. If you aren’t doing it, give me a call, and we’ll see if we can figure out why you aren’t!
What about the “working” mom, though? How about when you’ve had a rough day; you’re exhausted, and you know that it will be hours before you can sit down and put your feet up to relax? How do you find the energy to meet the needs of your family at times like that?
I’m sure I don’t need to describe what a typical evening is like for a “working” mom. If you’re still reading this post, you know what I’m talking about. You’re living, or have lived, this reality.
If you continue pushing yourself and ignoring your fatigue, you’re almost guaranteed to encounter problems! The consequences may be physical, emotional, or relationship-oriented. At some point, things will begin to deteriorate. The longer your needs are not prioritized, the deeper and more widespread the consequences become.
Self-care is not selfish! You can only give to your loved ones from a place of abundance! Once you become depleted, there’s very little to give to anyone.
Become creative! Figure out ways to have time for yourself. There are lots of options that I can think of, although I know that some are easier than others. The most important thing to remember is that you are worth it. Your family needs you to be healthy, energetic, and happy! That will only happen if you take the time that you need to rest and recharge on a regular basis.
If you need help giving yourself permission for downtime and general self-care, please let me know. I love helping women understand why their needs are so important, and how to freely move toward better care for themselves.
Until next time,
Linda
* Note: I’ve purposely used quotation marks around “working,” because all moms work, whether they’re at home or on their jobs. They all need downtime!