Self-Care

For decades I thought allowing myself to indulge in self-care meant I was being selfish. I was married at a young age, by twenty-four, I had my first child. My early twenties started my journey of caring for others and continued into my early forties. Caring for my husband and children was not enough, I took on volunteering at my children’s school, became a co-Cub Scout leader, summer camp leader, taught Sunday school, volunteered for an animal rescue group, took care of my elderly mother, and so on. Do not get me wrong, I loved every minute of my volunteer experience over the years. But what about me, when do I get to enjoy some alone time and to take care of my own needs? Well, the time would come just when I desperately needed self-care in my life.

We arrived at 2:05 pm in front of my daughters’ new home for the next four years, her dorm. As we brought her belongings to her new room, I felt a tinge of envy. Kelsey was starting a new chapter in her life, just as I wanted and needed a new chapter too. Long overdue, I was ready to take the leap and evolve from the caterpillar into the beautiful butterfly. One year later, I began exploring my options for a new career. I found a fantastic position at a local community college in a Holistic Health office. The position leads me on my journey to further my education. I received a degree in Human Service and later a certification in Health Coaching. My new position opened many doors and opportunities for me. Not only did I have wonderful experiences, but I finally realized I was important. Since then, I have made sure I am the priority on my long list of things to do every day. My routine now involves daily meditation, daily exercise, massages, hiking, travel (solo at times), and I continue to set goals for myself.

It took decades for me to become a priority. When are you going to be number one on your priority list?