Self care

 A good friend of mine has been preaching self care to me for quite some time. Although in the past I have seen the importance of her point of view, there were always parts of me that brushed it off saying " I just don't have time, or money or whatever....", but it was more than that....what it really came down to is these intense feelings of guilt that I had for taking care of myself, which is just plain ridiculousness. It is the enemy trying to steal my joy. I have read three books this year so far; For the Love, The Fringe Hours and Carry On Warrior. The underlying theme in all of these books is self care. I didn't choose these books because of this it just kind of happened... OK, OK I get the point.
I feel like these three books kind of forced me to look at how I take care of myself... or don't and how that affects my life. I didn't really think that not doing things for myself made that much of a difference but boy was I wrong. 
This month I decided to schedule a date (we hadn't been on one since October), schedule a massage and then a pedicure with a friend. Yes they all cost money and take time away from my family but let me tell you I am a much better me when I am taking time for myself. I look at life differently, appreciate it more and it feels pretty good. 
Do it ladies, do something for yourself! Do anything, it doesn't have to cost money but making time for yourself... oxygen mask....is going to make it a whole lot easier on you in the long run <3

Its ok for things to suck

I was talking to a wise friend/sister last night about how hard life is right now. So, so hard. I loved that she chose to lean into it with me. That instead of trying to fix it or telling me to think about the future, or that it won't always be this way, or to try to be positive she said this.... " Its OK for things to super suck" and man did I appreciate that. Seriously, when we negate how people are feeling and pretend that these really hard things in life aren't happening, it isolates us. I know there are many times I feel like "Am I the only one that is struggling right now?" in whatever.... weight loss, PARENTING, relationships,school, work, self worth. Why is it we choose not to talk about it? Is it pride? Shame? embarrassment? We want to make our life seem better than it really is? What makes it so that we feel like we can't share the really hard stuff in our life with the people we love. The communities we are apart of.
Especially as a mom, us moms need to stick together, support and love on each other because although our struggles might be different. Whether babies that won't stop crying, toddlers that push EVERY SINGLE BUTTON, or sleep issues. We are in it together and there is strength in numbers.
Can I urge you to be real? Even though it might make you uncomfortable? To be vulnerable and to feel comfortable to say that its not ok, and that its OK that its not ok. I think you might feel better if you do.