One of the things I’ve learned this year is to take time for myself each day. Whether it be to make art or to exercise or to just sit quietly and journal. It doesn’t much matter which activity I chose, what matters is that I am choosing to respect myself enough to show myself that I deserve some of my time, too.
As a mom, it’s often hard to choose yourself over the others in your life. As a working mom, I pretty much have a full plate of people to answer to all day long. My sweet husband, my precious children, my kind boss, and my amazingly talented workmates. All of these people are in my life every single day (ok so the work people tend to be more so on the weekdays, but still…) And they are all truly people that I like having in my life. People I chose. People I admire, love, and cherish.
But they are all demanding in their own way. Some out of need, others out of their love for me, and some for our combined goals. And I want to give my time to all of them. Not to mention friends, other family and loved ones, etc. When it comes to these people, I think we often feel an obligation to put them first. We often feel like we can give them all of our “good” energy and then we can make do with what’s left.
The thing is: there isn’t much left on most days.
You come to the end of the day and the work is over (at least for that day), the kids are in bed, and your husband is sitting next to you quietly working. Now is the perfect time to sit and work on your personal projects. Everyone’s taken care of and quietly content. Now you can focus on you.
Except you’re spent. You’re so tired that you cannot focus on anything and even the idea of putting clothes on to exercise is enough to make you shudder. You can’t even be convinced to do something you love like scrapping or doing art. You simply feel exhausted so you veg out in front of the TV or internet and crawl into bed when you’re tired enough.
And there goes “your” time.
You tell yourself, tomorrow will be different.
But it isn’t.
You work yourself to the bone every day. That’s what we do. We give to the people we love. We give to the people we feel obligated to give to. We put ourselves last because it seems like we can do that “later.” But I say it’s time to change that. I am not talking about a drastic “everyone can go to you-know-where” kind of change. I am talking about two 15-minute slots in your day. I’m saying for 15 minutes tomorrow morning you do something for yourself.
Maybe you take a walk or you make a sketch or you go out and take some pictures. Journal. Start a layout. Whatever your heart desires. Just for fifteen minutes. But it has to be early in the day. Way before you’re tired. Don’t worry about the todo lists or all the other people waiting. 15 minutes is not a long time for them. They love you.They trust you. They will wait.
And after those 15 minutes you will feel so good. You will feel like you took a little bit of time to take care of yourself. Luxurious time. Time you don’t usually allow yourself to take. And this will make you so much kinder and more generous towards those other people who love you and depend on you.
You deserve to take a little bit of time each day to treat yourself like a star. Give yourself some of that love and care you give to others, to the house, to your family. I feel like taking care of myself is a gift I give to my kids, too. They see that I value myself and spending time doing things I love. It shows them it’s ok to take the time to do something that gives you joy. It’s ok to take time to take care of your health. It’s ok to put yourself first a little bit each day. It makes me more joyful. And when I am happy, they are happy, too.
Because they love me.
So my wish for you is that tomorrow you take 15 minutes for yourself, give yourself some of that star treatment, and focus it on whatever it is you love to do.
Karen you are so awesome!! The way you take care of yourself and now you telling us to take care of ourselves for just that little bit of time. We all deserve a little star treatment. Thanks so much for these much needed words and the drawing is GORGEOUS!! Just love the big star and all the textures and fun going on in this.
I’m giving myself 15mts right now putting together my new Project Life 2012, it’s so cool to have another new one in the house. It comforts me knowing this is where my new stories for the year will be.
love and hugs
Dawn
this is so well written and so true. I have been putting off exercising so from tomorrow I will commit to doing this as soon as I wake so it’s done and I know I will feel better for it.
so, did you do it?
yes I did! I felt so much better too.
CONGRATULATIONS!! HOw awesome are YOU!!! 🙂
What a great post. Today I grabbed the dog, headed out the door to the beach and told my family the next 30 to 40 minutes I would be walking the dog. Since earlier in the day I heard the voice within remind me repeated to head to the beach. At 3pm, after family, work and home obligations I headed out the door. I came back a new woman. Refreshed, happy and ready to take on the next project. I’m going to give myself the star treatment more often.
isn’t it magical how that works? I wish i had a dog too!! 🙂
lovely post, so so true!
I just love your wise words. You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you.
The stories of your journey are so good to read. And this mini piece of art makes my heart happy, it is so utterly perfect!
you’re so so sweet my friend 🙂
Ain’t that the truth! Thanks for reminding me to take care of me. I’m going in my room now to make some art and forget about all the Xmas stuff I have to do.