Taking Care|of Self|Loving Self|Free Yourself

June 23, 2008 at 1:56 am · Filed under Beauty, Different Prospective, Inspirations, Relationships and tagged: Family, Freedom, Health, Love, Relax, School, Stress, Women, Work

         Take care of yourself and actually indulge in taking care of yourself whenever you get an opportunity. Instead of taking a 15 min shower, take a 30 min luxurious bubble bath with music, candles, beads and all your favorite things. Instead of grabbing just anything to eat before heading to work, stash some of your favorite treats, drinks, foods in the refrigerator to grab that are actually enjoyable and nutritious on your way to work. Instead of jumping out of bed and rushing to work everyday, get out of bed stretch and take the world in by taking a walk outside, enjoying the morning and fresh air, listening to the birds, relaxing for a few minutes, then get ready for work while listening to the radio. On your lunch break, instead of gulping down fast-food, eat some fruit, something that is salubrious, yet something that you actually enjoy. Instead of watching TV when you get home or getting on the internet, take a nap, do something fun and exciting with friends or family, or try something new to you.

 Although work, family, friends, school, etc are all things that need attention, it is important to remember that YOU NEED ATTENTION as well. Make the time! I think it is especially sagacious for everyone to make room in their lives for themselves. This is especially essential for women. Often times we find little time for ourselves because we are always taking care of someone else or something else. With school, work, friends, and family, it can be hard finding time for self. Women new and old to motherhood suffer mostly from this. More than this, when they do take out time for themselves, some even feel guilty for having done it. There is no need for guilt, you as a mother and as a woman….but more importantly as a human being need to take time for yourself…breath…look around you…rest….and appreciate the beautiful things in life, the things that make life truly worth wild and the beautiful things within yourself that doesn’t involve anyone else but you. This should be done often, if not everyday, not just on Mother’s day! Plan and make time for yourself and during this time… it’s all about you and what you want to do. Don’t neglect yourself!

Mothers that typically take care of home, children, husband, and seemingly everything else and everyone else while working all at the same time often find it a daunting task to find time for themselves because at the end of the day, she is simply drained—often forgetting and neglecting her mind and body’s daily needs and attention. Her hair is often not kept, pajamas and “around the house” cloths  began to be normally worn outside of the house, and all together fatigue is set in her face and around her eyes. It’s the same old sad song— the husband complains that she is not as “attractive” as she was before. Uh, Hello! Perhaps she’s overwhelmed with things you (as a husband) barely think or act to give a helping hand in. Is a marriage not supposed to be a partnership where you help each other? Now a days, it seems so alloy.

Simple guide that anyone can follow (Just do it!):

• Give yourself time and space just to think
• Make it a habit to get up early in the morning before anyone else, before starting your day, allowing time for yourself–also do this in the evening or before going to sleep. During this time, it is important to be away from  all disturbances—so that means be alone. (30-60 mins).

1. Take walks
2. Do relaxing exercises (Mediation/Yoga)
3. Read some pages of your favorite book
4. Write down positive thoughts while in open, clear, clean space.
5. Write poetry
6. Take long, luxurious baths/showers
7. Enjoy the sun rise/set, fresh air, gaze at a stand (group of trees) and the rest of nature
8. Get and maintain a garden (flowers, fruit, other food, etc)

• Sometimes, even though you can get a few things done, it can be fatigable even irritating trying to relax while having to watch kids, so sometimes leave them with their father, grandmother, or babysitter for a while and bring them back a treat.

1. Drive to or lock yourself in a quiet space and get some things accomplished
2. Go to the spa
3. Go shopping…
4. Go to the hair/nail shop…
5. Go out with friends every now and then to relax
6. Go to social events/take up a hobby (swimming, salsa dancing, instruments, belly dancing, etc) that you commit to once or twice a week

• Eschew overwhelming yourself, if you need help doing something or a break, tell someone!
• Having to cook, clean, and take care of kids everyday after pulling a 8-5 job can be tough try sometimes…

1. Letting your children and husband do the cooking  (breakfast, dinner, or lunch)
2. While you are cooking, let your husband wash the dishes or vice versa
3. Cooking with your husband/boyfriend (breakfast, dinner, or lunch)
4. Letting your husband/boyfriend cook for you (breakfast, dinner, or lunch)
5. Letting your husband get the kids ready for school
6. Letting your husband go out with/spend time with the kids

• Take real vacations and travel, not vacations where you will be at home having to deal with cooking, cleaning, etc. Get away for a while either by yourself, with your husband/boyfriend, or with the whole family.
• (Personal favorite) Watch/walk into/listen to the rain as it falls to earth
• Sometimes just enjoy doing nothing…take reverence in just being alive.

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