Self Care

I didn’t run today. Or go for a walk. Or lift any weights. I didn’t do yoga. I didn’t even attempt a plank.

I am someone who appreciates the value of self care. Sometimes it’s in the dose of a massage or a daily latte (yes, I know) but lately it’s simply been in caring for my body by moving it, lifting weights to strengthen it, attempting to get back into running because it feels so darn good to do it. My body does better when I move it.

There wasn’t time for that kind of self care today, though, or yesterday. Some days the self care I get is sitting and popping my feet up for a few minutes. Sometimes I ask for an extra hug from one of my boys because that takes only seconds and serves us both so well.

I did move today, though. I went up the stairs to the two older boys’ piano recitals and applauded delightedly when they were done. I walked through the lanes in Big Target with the two younger boys searching for pink lemonade and cookies. I baked Irish Soda Bread for my oldest because he wanted to sell that at their Lemonade stand. I went back and forth to the Lemonade Stand to our home with slices of Irish Soda Bread, extra napkins, and cups that flew away. I made dinner. I cleaned. I panicked and my heartbeat made its way up when my youngest called out and cried. I snuggled with the boys, rubbed their backs, and called my husband to see how his flight went.

Then I put my feet up again.

Tomorrow is another day. Another opportunity for running, strengthening, yoga, a walk outside, or at least a plank (maybe a side plank!). But today was a different kind of care day – and those are just as important.