I’m usually not into self-help books and prefer to live in denial about what might be going on inside this messy mind of mine. But recently, I’ve been reading a book that you may have heard about. It’s called “Girl, Wash Your Face.” I bought it for a friend for Christmas but then decided to download it on Audible. By the way, I totally recommend this book for any woman and mother that needs a little help getting back to who she is.
After listening to the first few chapters while I was getting ready for work, I texted that friend and said that there was a little too much truth flying out at me. This book made me look at myself and see things that I probably have known were there for a while, but haven’t been really interested in facing. Like I said, I like living in denial.
Let’s look at you: I want you to think back over the last xx amount of years since your children were born or you got married. When was the last time you did something specifically for YOU?
I’m not talking about when you did or bought something for the family that you would benefit from as well. I’m talking about making yourself a priority and doing something purely because it would bring you joy?
I see you. You are the mom that cooks (even though the kids probably won’t eat it), cleans, does laundry, breastfeeds at all hours, takes out the dog, gets the kids to and from school, to violin lessons and gymnastics, to the in-laws for dinner when you really didn’t want to go. You are the mom that works full time, gives your job every ounce of yourself during the day (or night) and then goes home and gives even more to the little people and spouse that you love. You are the mom that is working, going to school yourself, while volunteering for every imaginable event at your child’s school, getting the minimal amount of sleep to function, while still trying to give every single person in your life 110%.
Whew. Geez, I’m exhausted just thinking about all that we have to get done to make the world go around.
You can only do that for so long until you run out of gas. You can’t put everyone else ahead of you on the priority list forever. Eventually, you will run out of steam and come to a screeching halt like that steam engine with no more coal.
A special nod goes out to the single parents that do it all by themselves. I can’t imagine navigating all this hullabaloo (is that a word?) by myself. Hats off to you, Rockstars!
At some point, we have to realize that you have to take care of yourself. You can’t take care of everyone else if you have run yourself into the ground. I tell this to my newly delivered moms all the time. Why can’t I take my own advice? (Insert confused face here).
If you need permission to be a little selfish, I am delivering it to you right now. The happiest kids have happy parents.
Trust me. I’m right.
Life Inside Looking Out 