Lately I have felt very “blah,” for lack of a better word. I actually said this to someone yesterday at a softball game, “every day it gets a little bit harder to move.”
That is the truth, friends.
While this pregnancy has been one to remember, I am not sure that I have thoroughly enjoyed it. That is hard to type, hard to think about, and even hard to say out loud to people.
I have friends who have loved every minute of pregnancy, and I have friends who have struggled to have a baby. And when I think “this is so hard” or “I am so miserable” I feel a bit guilty. I feel bad.
When those thoughts come to mind, I think “maybe I just need a little self-care” to feel better. To be rested, motivated, calmed…and I also feel a little guilty.
Self-Care is key for caregivers, for moms, moms-to-be, and basically for all of us. Lately, I feel like my self-care might take over when I should be doing something productive (like getting a nursery together).
Self-Care can be a nap. I love a good nap these days. I try to take at least a 20-30 minute nap so I can feel productive, but honestly, sometimes I just feel like I could sleep even longer.
Reading a book for fun has been something on my self-care-to-do-list lately. I have bought a few books on recommendations via social media, best-selling lists, and if I am being real, the cover. Yep. The cover sometimes sells me on a book.
Getting my hair and nails done has also been a form of self-care. I love getting a haircut and some color. I have been on a mission for something “easy and manageable” because once Baby H gets here, the time to get ready in the mornings might be shortened.
Watching The Great British Baking Show (Great British Bake Off) has been a type of self-care for me as well. Now, I am not going to recreate any of Mary Berry’s recipe’s anytime soon, but for some odd reason, I feel like this show is calming (although it is a competition). Paul’s steely looks at the bakers make me laugh, and it is a good way to not gain any more weight this pregnancy.
Another little “treat” that I give myself is a special snack or drink. A few weeks ago, before an oil change, I stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts to get an iced coffee. I’d never had their iced coffee, and let.me.tell.you. A large decaf iced coffee with cream and mocha was delightful. I don’t do it every week, but it is something special that I can enjoy at home while everyone is at work and school.
Another part of my self-care is spending time with Sam and the kids after a long day. We have a king sized bed that everyone piles in and we just talk and laugh before bed. Sometimes I start to doze off before everyone, sometimes I am so sore and tired that I just lay on my side, but knowing that my family is with me, learning about this pregnancy with me, and laughing with me is the best way to end a day.
Self-Care does not have to be expensive or lavish. Sometimes my morning is my self-care (after the kids are gone to school, Sam is gone to work, and it is just me and the dogs at home). The quiet is a great time for reflection, writing, (napping), or even doing laundry. Chores can be a way for me to feel good and productive (which may sound silly), but it helps contribute on days when I feel like I don’t want to do much.
I am going to soak up the self-care over the next few weeks. We will have Baby H here in no time (hard to believe still)…and I want to be as prepared as possible!!
I am trying to keep balance with everything: home, being a mom, teaching/working, and resting up before Baby H.