Self-care is important. I advocate for it. I try to take care of myself. But I think sometimes we prioritize it incorrectly and assume that we can reach a level of self-care on our own.
Sometimes we are called to sacrifice. I sacrifice evenings on the couch, watching television for a night behind a computer screen, building a future. I sacrifice nights out for nights in with my child or nights in cooking and cleaning. This doesn't mean it's wrong for you to choose the opposite. I don't look down on that at all, but I think it's time to stop looking down on those who choose a season of minimum "self-care". I used to moan and complain when I didn't get a few nights a week to relax. Now, that's rare for me to relax at all and I'm complaining a lot less. I just realized that tonight I've spent all day pouring out into someone else. My entire day was centered around work, cleaning, my son, planning breakfasts, lunches and dinners and I'm not even drained. A year ago, my mindset then would have left me drained very quickly. Now, I know this is the season I asked for. I prayed for this. I prayed for the work. I just listened to a sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick about answered prayers and it made me go "WHOA." He talked about how we often pray for a certain season or gift and then once we get to that season, we are praying for a problem that came with that season. When he said that, I realized I've been praying for a break, which is the opposite of what I was praying for in March when I was praying for this huge breakthrough! Breakthroughs are WORK. They aren't easy. This season that I'm in will not last forever. So many of my blog posts reflect the same recurring theme of this busy season but I know that so many of us are in this right now. And we will get through this together. But let me tell you friend, seasons are meant to build you. They are not meant to last forever. There are moments when I am so CLOSE to just giving up because this is hard work! But it would be so devastating to me and to God if I gave up now. I can't see the timeline. I can't see if I'm at the beginning or if I'm at the end of this, so for me it is very frustrating but for God, He has made it very clear to me that I am to keep working at this. Keep working. I used to advocate for this "hustle everyday" mentality but now, I view that word as a bit harsh. Now, it seems as if I'm insinuating that your hard work will be the reason you are rewarded, when in reality that is only partly true. My hard work will pay off because God paved this path for me. He made the connections for me. He stirred my heart towards this. He gave me a family that would make me put this plan in motion sooner than I would have. This is all glory to God. My strength doesn't come from within me. My strength comes from God. He is the one who called me into this season. It is hard, it is a lot of work but it is also full of laughter, home cooked meals and a happy little guy who is no longer sick every two weeks. Self-care for you may look different than self-care for me and that's okay. Right now, I don't see a lot of manicures, pedicures and hair appointments. I don't see a lot of dinners with friends and relaxing on my nice little patio. What gets me through is the "one day this will pay off". This post was not meant to criticize in anyway or insinuate that if you are making self-care appointments instead of working overtime in the evenings that you are somehow less deserving, that's not what I mean at all. This post is to encourage those who aren't getting a lot of that. It's okay. Our generation advocates strongly for self-care and I honestly love that but if you are in a season where you cannot, realize that your strength comes from a God who is so powerful and sees the entire timeline of your success. Your strength comes from Him. Whether you are going through the motions of what our society views as self-care or not, your cup is filled by Him. I do encourage you to take even 15 minutes a day to just reflect on your day and think of the good things that happened that day. I've been doing that even on days where I'm working from sun up to sun down and it has helped me tremendously. This has probably been the only difference when I compare my busy seasons. It's led me to less complaining and a lot more thanksgiving. I am actually editing this post to include that your health is VERY important. If you are experiencing burn out, your health is declining, or you truly cannot take the stress anymore, reach out for your resources and take a break. Your health is very important! Take note of the signs of a burn out. Know that it's okay to take breaks; taking breaks helps to prevent giving up completely. Love you, friends! Life is meant to be experienced to the FULL. So, if your life right now is chaotic and busy, push through it. Work hard. Get your strength from the ultimate source. We'll make it through together.
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About this page:Here I want to share daily adventures with my little one, tips and tricks I'm learning along the way, and how I stay afloat while managing my businesses from home. Archives
August 2019
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