It is so liberating to really know what I want, what truly makes me happy, what I will not tolerate.I have learned that it is no one else’s job to take care of me but me. ~Beyonce Knowles-Carter
Sometimes it's a challenge to be in that steady happy place. But I am learning that as you continue this journey called life, you have to keep pushing and advocating for what suits you best. I am truly in a H.O.E. phase of life that's that "Happiness Over Everything" type of vibe! (Thanks Jhene Aiko for the play on words)
So how do you get to your optimum level of happy? The key is SELF-CARE! Self care is the fastest way to happiness. And despite what some would like to make you believe, self-care is not in the least bit selfish. You can not pour from an empty cup, no matter how hard you try.
If I have learned nothing else from 2020, I have learned that self-care is essential for survival.
Being a mom of four energetic (and at one point cabin-fevered) little girls, a wife, a YouTuber, grad student, and full-time/year round educator, (then I decide to add on a blog) whew chile...I found myself empty a lot. Battery literally and figuratively on "E." Sometimes needing to regenerate due to being exhausted others times desperately needing my bucket to be filled by words of affirmation that I'm doing a good job. Either way the burnout was real and I felt it on all levels. My body began to shut down and everything seemed to drain the literal life out of me. I didn't really know what was wrong. It took a conversation with my therapist and real hard look at my daily tasks to recognize that...sis was busy beyond comprehension, sis was agitated, sis was tired, and sis was DOING TOO MUCH!! I was sis! Sis was me!
So what did I do to self-correct? First, I began prioritizing the tasks on my to do lists. What is essential? (working, school, cleaning, cooking, caring for my family). What is extra? (volunteering, taking on additional responsibilities) What will fill my cup? (Quality time with family and friends, helping others, writing, journaling, meditating, retail therapy, personal maintenance). Once I realized where things fit on my plate, I was able to devote the appropriate amount of time to each task. Never borrowing from the next tasks' time and not allowing for neglect of self first or my family. I had to make a plan for self care and ultimately for some "me time."
I can admit that sometimes things get out of whack and I still find myself a little overwhelmed, but nothing like before. Each day the goal is to strive to be a little bit better and which each day of improvement, I am able to be better for those around me.
How are you taking care of your self? Leave some tips in the comments. Let's work together to do a better job of caring for ourselves and filling our own cups!
Here's a little self care challenge I found on Google. Can you commit to it? If so, snap a selfie doing something self-care related and tag me on IG @iammichellerena using the hashtag #selfcarechallenge Let's get it!
