Pouring From an Empty Pot

Self care is something that was so often on my mind after having kids, but I really struggled with putting it into practice. Prior to having kids I did kick boxing pretty regularly and worked out with my husband. I was in damn good shape if I do say so myself! I am just going to be frank, It was just easier to fit these things in when it was just us two.

After my second daughter was born, I came to a point where I realized that self care was not going to be something that I was ever going to "just have time for". I finally came to a point where I realized I NEEDED to create time in my day and that was it!

This "Ah-ha" moment did not happen overnight though. I slowly felt myself turning into a version of myself I was not loving. I felt that I was not showing up as the mom, the wife, and the woman I saw myself as. I was still trying to give my all to the ones around me, even though I knew it wasn't the version of myself I wanted to be giving. I was running on empty; trying to fill up their cups with my empty coffee pot. This feeling over time grew and I realized that I needed to work on filling up my coffee pot. 

I needed to figure out what filled up my coffee pot; what inspired me. Don't get me wrong, my family is EVERYTHING to me. I literally tell my daughters that they are my heart. 

                             "Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation."

                                                              -Audre Lorde

Trust me when I say this was not a linear thing that happened and I did better some days than others. It was more than working out. I wasn't drinking enough water, should have been taking vitamins, gotten better sleep, and honestly the list goes on. 

Taking care of myself sometimes felt like a part-time job. I shifted my mindset though. I look forward to these moments rather than looking at it as a chore I have to do. Self care isn't selfish and I feel it is essential to our emotional wellbeing.  

It is not about working towards perfection, just progress. 

Have patience and grace with yourself because some days you will have more time than others to work self care in, but that is okay. One day at a time. You got this!