SELFCARE

February 14, 2022

This month we’re talking about selfcare and its broad definition. One of the selfcare elements is mental health. Such an important topic right now! There’s still lots of work to do to validate mental health. I strongly believe there are times when the support of a qualified professional is absolutely the right answer. 

And there are also times when we can dial back the chaos and practice selfcare to support our mental wellness. I’ll share a recent example: 

Sometimes bad things come in 3s they say. I’d been hit by a couple unexpected and disappointing circumstances, 3 of them to be exact. And I was struggling to get adequate sleep, which for me is a real challenge. And then one Friday more whammies came out of the blue. You know those kinds of days when you almost have to laugh at your misfortune because it seems surreal?  

I was hastily packing to take my daughter on a weekend trip with one of her teams. I was having trouble staying focused, constantly interrupted with texts and phone calls related to bubbling conundrums. I plopped down on the couch and looked at my husband and said, “I can’t do it. I know I should, but I just can’t.” And his response was, “I totally get it.” For the first time I can remember, I opted for taking care of myself rather than pushing through. I felt relief and guilt all at the same time. But I knew it was the right decision. 

I struggled all weekend to come to terms with the guilt in not meeting someone else’s expectations. Of prioritizing my own wellness over the wants and needs of someone else. 

And yet it was freeing to do what I needed to do to show up as my best self in the days ahead so I could continue to face the tough stuff and handle it with grace.