Number 1 Mom

Remember when you heard you were first pregnant with your first? It was such an exciting time. You collected baby things. You picked out different names. You took afternoon naps. Maybe you had a babymoon. Baby arrived and BOOM just like that, your whole world shifted from being solely your own to someone else's. Now you're on their timetable, you're watching out intently for their SOS calls and all of a sudden you are someone else's care provider. And it's quite frankly all a little whirl-winded-miracle. Your baby in your arms is exactly what you signed up for, exactly what you had hoped for, exactly what you wanted in life. It truly is a miracle. You made it to motherhood. The next few years are fast and dotted with other little arrivals, and changes to the navigation system, and rarely is there a moment to catch your breath. It's exhilarating though. Now today, here you are sitting (a rarity, I realize) while the dust settles around you and coming to the realization that you are quite possibly the glue that holds your whole family together. You know exactly when the next birthday is and what you're doing to celebrate, you know your kids teachers first names, you know which yogurt they prefer (and of course they all have different preferences), and you're the MVP for lost things everytime. Then you walk by a shiney surface in your home (a mom win for sure!) and realize you're not 100% satisfied by the reflection, not the physical appearance, but maybe that too. It's the insides you feel you are less familiar with, "how did this even happen, a few years ago I only thought about myself and now I can't stop thinking period. And my thoughts are about everyone else." As much as taking care of your family is your number one priority, because you worked so hard to have one. You do need to ensure that the "glue" doesn't get lost in the shuffle and pushed down to the bottom of the list. If you don't take care of the MVP of the family, YOU, then you are heading down a path of sickness, stress, anxiety, depression and burn out. If any of this resonates with where you are in your life today, there are steps you can take to walk back to yourself. Today consider the following self-care strategies that you can start today. 1. Take a walk. Clear your head. Walk through neighborhoods or forests, wherever you walk focus on your breath. Breathe in the amazing, fresh air, breathe out stress. 2. Get a massage. Seriously. Take an hour and have someone work out all of your tension in your body. You'll feel refreshed. When they ask you if you want to book again, schedule for the next week or month and make it a regular exercise. 3. Get social. Make connections with friends you may not see regularly. Book in a coffee date and make sure you hold it like it's an important work event. Don't let baby getting sick or husband late home get in the way. Push for solutions, figure it out so that you can recharge with your friends. Just like the CEO of your company can find out the next step in the project at a board meeting because these excuses hold no weight in your attendance. Make yourself top priority and attend your own "board meeting" with your friend. Find ways to get back to you. You are the number one priority in your life. You are truly number one to so many. Show them how to take care of themselves by taking care of you. Have a wonderful, self-care day! Heather xo