As good as our intentions may be at times, as women we often find it hardest to love ourselves. We're good at loving our children and our husbands. We're good at making sure they have what they need and oftentimes, what they want. If they're tired we encourage a nap. If they're hungry we provide nourishment without making them wait hours. Yet for ourselves we often push ourselves to exhaustion, put off eating if we're 'busy', or a myriad of other things to neglect ourselves. Essentially, we tend to put everyone else first and us last.
However, in order to really be at our best for our families, our friends, or our employees we must turn this pattern on its head and put ourselves first. If we're well rested, well fed, and well taken care of we have more energy and patience for everyone and everything else. Why do the airlines tell us to put on our own oxygen mask first and help our children after? Because if we can't breathe, we aren't much help to them!
How can I do that when I'm the one I count on to get things done? What will happen if I slow done, or stop? I got to answer that question for myself this week so I got a reminder. You see, I do my best to put myself first and practice great self-care, but even then there are times that a monkey-wrench gets thrown into the mix and you're put to the test. I've been sick this week and have had to rely on others for handling many of the things I would normally do. My initial reaction was to want to hold onto the reigns, but I knew what I really needed was to let go and rest so I could get better sooner. Once I realized that the sky wouldn't fall, that people would ask for what they needed, and I trusted that they were capable to manage without me I was able to take care of myself.
So my reminder you this week is to take care of yourself first! Get enough rest and eat well. Take a hot bath and ask for help when and where you need it. Remember that the world will not end if you aren't running the show. Taking great care of yourself means loving yourself. Loving yourself is the greatest gift you can give all those people in your life you're working so hard to take care of.
