Self Care

For most of my adult life I have taken care of those around me, sometimes taking on too much and allowing *me* to get lost in the process. When the kids were small, I would make sure they were bathed, dressed in clean clothes and fed breakfast before we left the house, but then I would not have (or take) the time to do the same for myself. I know this drives my hubby crazy and he has been working with me for almost ten years to change this damaging mindset. That is one reason he took the pottery class with me this summer. He knew that given the chance I would avoid going, but with him coming along, I was forced to go. Right now we are talking about me taking a pottery class this fall, and I'm torn...not because I don't like pottery (I love it!)....not because I have other commitments (Monday nights are open and hubby will help with soccer practice)...I have no reason not to take the class, none, but still I hesitate. See, I know me and I know that if my day is crazy busy and I feel overwhelmed, my initial response is to cut out anything that has to do with *me*. For example, today is the first day I have had off for a couple of weeks and have made plans to meet my friend this morning. Unfortunately this afternoon is jammed full with eye doctor appointments for me and the boy child, boy's soccer practice, then making a dish and serving dinner at a local family homeless shelter. Do I look at rescheduling the eye doctor appointment? No! Instead I look at my visit with my friend. We met in Spanish class my first day back at college in August '06. She has since had a baby and is a stay-at-home mom with a toddler and 2nd grader. Since I graduated we try to get together every week for coffee, chat and/or a walk. I have not been able to meet up for almost a month, so there is no way I am canceling. This is progress! A couple of years ago I would have canceled. Before that I would not have even bothered taking an hour out of my schedule for something as selfish as coffee with a friend.

As I mentioned, my hubby is always urging me to do something for myself and it is bad enough that my teenage kids have even noticed. A couple of years ago I went grocery shopping before picking my son up from middle school. He noticed a bottle in the cup holder, a Sobe or Frappacino, I can't even remember what, but he picked it up and looked at me with a big smile, "Mom! You bought yourself something to drink! That's great!" From the mouth of babes.....

¡Hasta pronto, mis amigos!

~N