As women, we do it all! We work full-time, raise our children (sometimes alone), take care of our husbands, go to school, run businesses, listen to others in their time of need, volunteer at church and other organizations and the list goes on. We should be proud of the things we do as well as our accomplishments. But how many of us can say we make sure to take time for ourselves as women?

How many of us practice the task of self-care? How many of us look like a boss on the outside, but are falling apart on the inside? And what happens when it all comes crashing down? Ladies I want to encourage you to strive for the practice of self-care. That means taking time just to take care of you and no one but you. If that means sending the children away, do it. If it means calling out of work, by all means, call out and if it means taking a Sunday (YES Sunday) to focus on you, please feel free. We must always remember we cannot be good to anyone else if we are not good to ourselves.

When I got married, I went in like gangbusters. I was ready to be a wife and I could not wait to take care of my family. For the first five years of my marriage, I did it all, and I do mean ALL. I had a very well-run home and my family was grateful for my presence and what I did for them; however, inwardly, I was falling apart. One of my FAVORITE things to do was (still is) to get a manicure and pedicure. In the beginning, I took time to do this at least bi-weekly or monthly, but over time, I stopped. For some strange reason, after I wed, I felt like it was no longer allowed because I needed to take care of everyone else. So, when I did take time for myself I felt guilty because I believed I did not deserve it. My husband would tell me to go and get my nails done, but I would make an excuse not to go.

Unfortunately, this was a mental limitation I placed on myself and I did not realize it until one day I had a major meltdown and my family (all boys) looked at me as if I lost my mind. After venting, I realized I forgot about myself.

As wives, we have a responsibility to our families, but we also have a responsibility to ourselves. God desires that his children have an abundant life and that includes our overall well-being.

As we continue to care for those around us, let us remember to care for the one person we cannot live without and that’s YOU.

Love you all,
Darlene
#healedtospeak

For tips, download Tips for self-care PDF.