take care of myself

I’m drinking more water, trying to get more fresh fruit and vegetables, and I’m trying, trying, trying not to eat so many sweets! I’m hoping it helps me feel better, sleep better, and look better…

I’m exercising again. My husband and I walk at work and I’ve started riding the exercise bike again! Yay! It isn’t every night and it isn’t for very long…but you have to start somewhere!

I thought I was back, but various things happened all at once. You know those times when it feels like you’ve been run over by a truck, or like several days ganged up on you at once? Well, this week’s been like that.

So…I stopped doing everything unnecessary for a few days. I slept early. I drank more water. I didn’t do anything that didn’t have to be done.

And I feel better. Yay!

Somehow, self-preservation seems somewhat negative – like I’m reacting to life rather than being more active, proactive, whatever.

I think I’ll go with _{take care of myself}

Yesterday, I managed to spend time with my son AND work on a craft that I enjoy – something for everyone!

Of the first appointment. But I did make a second one, and actually follow through, for all the good it did.

Well, I did have a chance to vocalize some of my issues to someone completely unconnected to the situation which did indeed make me feel as if a load had been lifted, if only briefly. He also did refer me to a therapist.

Still…overall, I’m glad that was a free experience.

Now…I need to get myself to a doctor and perhaps consider calling the therapist. I’m also trying to find ways to get the stress OUT of me. I made a list today of all the things that are really stressing me out. I also started to think about ways I can fix those situations. Once I do that, I think I can start breaking things down into smaller steps – at least I hope I can. I need to move forward on this.

Next Monday, I have an appointment with a therapist. I’m finally, finally, finally going to seek help with dealing with all of the things/pressures swirling around me.

I hope this is a step on the path to better health for me.

I had an earlier goal of doing one thing per day for myself – even if it was a tiny thing. I was trying to take care of myself in small ways, to better enable me to care for my family. I honestly thought I had made it a “habit” to take care of myself. Apparently not – I’ve not been taking care of myself properly for a while now and the stress of my life has just eaten away at my reserves.

Anyway, friends of mine noticed this and they took me out today to care for me, encourage me, and generally “revive” me. They also showed me how much I had neglected myself and helped show me small ways I can take care of myself without sacrificing family time, etc.

That’s what this goal is for, for me. Its about self-care, about taking 10 minutes a day to sit and have coffee, about taking a few minutes of peace and quiet to unwind before bed, about buying myself a latte once in a while because I want one. It isn’t about being selfish – its about renewing my energy, my inner resources. If I have nothing left in me, I can’t very well give to others!