Finding Time…

It’s beginning to look  at lot like….the holidays. For me, it starts the minute October 1st rolls around, there’s a sort of magic that begins and just builds momentum until January 1st. Omaha is a town that provides so many activities for the family that I already have my weekends booked these last few weeks of the year. Just looking at my calendar has me hyperventilating a little bit and with daily Christmas count-downs on Facebook, I feel like I need a little more than a paper bag to get me through. When did the holidays become so crazy?   When did I stop enjoying “the most wonderful time of the year?”  Why am I so tired?  Oh yea, when I became an adult. With that said, I realized I need to make sure that I take care of myself so I can take care of everything-everyone else. This means finding time for myself.  Easier to write about than actually being able to. How can I fit “me-time” into an already packed schedule?  With all this whirling around in my head, I turned to a  friend who is a licensed mental health practitioner and here’s the advice she gave.  I hope it helps you as much as it’s helped me!

“Taking care of yourself is vital in order to take care of others– if your cup is empty, it’s impossible to pour from it. Mothers are under so much pressure from themselves, their partners, their children, and their communities that taking time out to care for themselves often gets pushed to the unattainable “future” to do list. When we don’t engage in self care, we run the risk of burning out so significantly we can develop more serious symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. While there is a difference between lack of self care and depression and anxiety, a good first step for a person feeling either depressed or anxious is to up their self care. If a person continues to be facing depressed or anxious thoughts, reaching out to a therapist, doctor, or faith leader is a great next step. Self care doesn’t have to be complicated- exercise, reading, taking a bubble bath, getting a haircut, visiting a spa, or even just letting a family member or partner take care of the kids for a night while you watch tv or a movie are great, easy steps for self care. Meditation, yoga, therapy, art, and music are other options that work to help people manage their stress. Our children definitely pick up on parental stress, and while this is largely unavoidable, modeling effective self care is a great way to ensure children learn the value of taking care of themselves.” (Lesley Turner, LCSW,LMHP)  

http://www.lesleyturnertherapy.com/home.html 

 So, how am I going to find time to take care of myself? First off, I’m going to have to make myself a priority.  After talking to several of my Mama friends, I find this is probably the hardest, but most important.  Ladies, WE ARE IMPORTANT!!!  Like Lesley says above, if our cup’s not full, how can we pour out to others? Secondly, I’m going to write a list of things I want to do-just for me.  Massages are nice, but they end. Getting my nails done is great too, but they require upkeep and I’m a nail biter.  For me, nothing beats a moment at my favorite coffee shop with a large latte and my computer-to myself or a brisk walk in nature. Thirdly, I’m going to follow through.  This means snatching an hour once a week before I start my shift or *gasp* leaving my daughter at daycare an extra hour so I can recharge  (no judgements please!)  So, tell me mama’s, how do you take care of yourself during this hectic holiday season?  Leave a comment below and remember, we are worth taking time for.  WE ARE IMPORTANT!
Kassandra
Born and raised in Omaha, Kassandra has a heart for her city and loves that she can call it home. After ten years battling infertility, she and her husband of 14 years, Nicholas, have a beautiful feisty little firecracker named Eloise (2015). Kassandra formerly taught preschool for 15 years and decided to leave teaching in a school setting to help her friend start up "The Wonder Nook" (a space of creativity and wonderment for all ages) When time allows it, you will more than likely find Kassandra somewhere writing, dreaming, doing.