Good For You Good For Your Family

April 11, 2022 Brooke Summers

Self Care Made Simple.

Good For You Good For Your Family

I have struggled with feelings of guilt when desiring to prioritize my needs. Maybe it is the people pleaser in me or maybe it is the lie that I shouldn’t need things and should focus only on others needs. This type of mindset was something I struggled with for years and left me feeling depleted and frustrated. This depletion spilled over into how I interacted with others and truthfully in the end no one's needs were really properly taken care of.

I am sure you have experienced when flight attendants go over all the safety procedures prior to a flight taking off. I always disliked the part when they tell you “put your oxygen mask on first then help others” came up. It seemed so selfish. It wasn’t until I was outnumbered by my children day in a day out that I realized the wisdom in this statement.

The truth is that if I don’t prioritize my needs then they will not happen. Now prioritizing my needs does NOT mean that there is no sacrifice involved. It means that I have to make my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs a priority in my life because they give me more bandwidth to handle what life throws at me on a daily basis. I cannot control what will happen each day, anyone caring for small children can relate. But I CAN control what I make a priority in my own life. When I finally rejected the lie that prioritizing myself was not selfish, I witnessed so much fruit in my daily life. I quickly noticed that I was less impatient, less reactive and more responsive.

I felt so encouraged and I want you to feel that too…...so here is my challenge for you:

Write down three things you NEED each day to operate at your best. Here are some ideas….

Could be a shower & caring for your skin first thing in the morning.
A brisk walk each day listening to a favorite podcast.
Making time to plan meals so that you always have healthy options in reach.
Waking early in the morning to have quiet time or prayer.
Setting a water goal to help you drink more water throughout the day
Committing to ending your day with some small ritual - putting oils in your diffuser in the evening, drinking a cup of night time tea, soaking with Bath Soaks, using your sugar scrub on your feet and hands

Write these three things down on a notecard and put it somewhere you can see. If you forget one day, keep going, these small steps can become habits if you keep on keeping on! Tell someone in your home or a supportive friend of your goals, what you are trying to accomplish and ask them to check in with you about them occasionally!

Check in with yourself at the beginning of each month. What do you have going on that month, will you need extra support during a certain week? Plan ahead and try to add (self care) or reduce some things so you can have the bandwidth you need to meet the needs of those whom you love.

Every small step in the right direction should be celebrated. Know that seasons change and what you need now will evolve and change just like the seasons. I know that if you cave in some time to care for yourself you will notice that it is not only good for you, but good for your family. As they will reap the benefits of your full cup in every interaction they have with you!