Happily Ever Hobbies

Ahh, self care. In our program we are told we can't be selfish, that we have to be doing for other people all the time and always saying yes. But I always say, what good are we to others if we aren't taking care of ourselves? (However that looks like) For me, I've tried taking care of my self in a number of ways over the years since getting sober (because let's face it I had no idea what that meant while drinking), but it turns out I didn't really know what it meant after becoming a mom either (especially not being able to drive - you'd be surprised how much freedom and self care just driving can give you). Of course after having kids (3 back to back to back) it was all about them and taking care of them. But when I get extra snappy ("spicy" my husband likes to call it) withy kids and hubby and others around me, and forget about my gratitude and trying to change my perspective then something's gotta give. I need to do something for myself and do it wholeheartedly, no guilt, just acceptance.

So this brings me to just one example of this for me, my nails. Maybe seem silly but here's just a little progression of how my nails and skin are looking once I really start trying to care for myself (no I still don't do it perfectly, don't look too hard at that dry skin from washing my hands only 1000 times a day). The polka dots are the most recent. The flower was from when I still couldn't drive and I took an Uber there, while my husband loaded up the kids to come pick me up. But what a gift it is to be able to do that and drive to do that today. So take care of yourself today. Do something, anything. Give yourself 5-10 minutes of something for you and something productive perhaps. I find when I try to do more positive things, I have a more positive mindset. Imagine that. 😉