I really thought this year was going to be different.
I had all the tools to be healthy, happy, and even had numerous vacations planned. My husband surprised me with a trip to Florida in the last week of February. It felt silly going; we had just gotten back to work from the holiday season and a November trip to Disney with the family. COVID was just starting to rear its head in the United States, and little did we know three weeks later we would be shut in our house with our entire family. Turns out that vacation was perfect timing.
But in reality, this year has been exhausting in so many ways, and I haven’t been taking care of myself.
Maybe people were on to something when they said “hindsight is 2020.” If you’re like me, looking at the selfish side of this year’s challenges, all the fun things you wanted to do were more than likely canceled by complications of COVID or financial disruptions to your life.
Don’t get me wrong, I see a lot of people on Facebook still doing fun things, but I just can’t get it figured out.
I had to put so much effort everywhere else that I honestly can’t find the energy to plan a creative vacation too. Every time I tried, I ended up giving up because I can’t find anything open, or the complications of the actual plan are exhausting and stressful.
However, it’s getting old and I’m getting really tired. I haven’t been on a date with my husband since that trip, I barely can find a night to hang with “the girls”, and I have only had my hair cut once (just cut! Not even colored.)
There isn’t a lot to do. And every time there is something to do, it gets canceled and I end up getting my hopes up for nothing. Restaurants are slowly getting back to what normal feels like, but I’m so used to being home or getting carry-out, I’m not making plans to go there.
Are you head down, focused on working from home, keeping your kids entertained, and yourself mentally stable? So many of us across the country have lost everything or are expected to continue working full time, homeschool, and assist their families with these changes all through natural disasters! Anxiety and depression are at an all-time high – gee I wonder why?!
I finally stopped long enough to realize I need a break, but school is starting, sports are starting, and time is even harder to find. How are we supposed to live like this?
Listen up! Now is the time to take care of yourself so you can survive.
Take charge of your happiness, and take some time off! It’s not going to be a week in Mexico, but it can be an hour or two each week. You may have to get creative and find some time in ways you aren’t used to.
To help, I dropped some ideas for self-care below:
- Find an hour to go to coffee by yourself, breakfast with friends, or on a date. Even if it’s just an hour, take the time.
- Take a vacation day, even if you have no special plans.
- Call into a meeting while you walk outside.
- Turn a weeknight into a movie night.
- Leave work an hour early.
- Carpool kids to activities and on days you aren’t driving, grab a quick bite at a local restaurant.
- Get up 30 minutes earlier and do something you love.
- Find a weekend for your kids to visit family.
- Say no to your kids when they want to tag along!
Most importantly, be an example to your kids on how to take care of yourself first. It’s not selfish, it’s required to be able to give back to those around you.
You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
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