A much needed break.
Self Love.
Did I say self love? Ya. Self love baby.
Do it. Take it. Enjoy it.
If you aren’t making time and space for yourself and indulging in the things that make you feel good, man oh man are you missing out.
As mothers, and workers, and partners, and friends, mentors, students, observers, we can forget to be in love with ourselves. Fear of being called conceited and self-absorbed have us fearful of true self love.
We love to hate people who boast about themselves, but do we hate what they are bragging about or just that they have the self confidence to share with conviction and absolute love.
What did you do today that made you feel good? I mean really good, like “have I gone too far? “ kind of good. Like a whole board of yummy snacks from the fridge and pantry, socks on, sweats on, blankets, favorite tv show to binge watch kind of good, without shaming yourself.
Here’s what I’ve started doing to give myself permission to feel good every day: smile by myself, in a moment that doesn’t normally warrant smiling. Washing dishes, pumping gas, sitting on the toilet. So I’m that lady, randomly smiling. Suspicious? Or just totally in love with one moment.
It’s easy to get locked into a swirl of emotion and practicality so that we are like the wind passing through each day. But can we be like the mountain. Proud and tall and open to all. Can we be like the mountain present always, unwavering. And can we be like the beautiful birds singing songs as they pass that mountain, with a smile and a moment of kind pure regard.
How did I become the mountain? Vacation. V.a.c.a.t.i.o.n. Meant to be read like b.a.-n.a.-n.a.s
Seven full days, on the other coast with people who refill my cup: my most beloved womens circle of strong women who are breaking glass ceilings, walls, and the status quo, my aunt who is my greatest advocate and spiritual warrior in life, and my best friend from college with whom I can say anything and everything without fear of even an iota of judgement and who makes me laugh the hardest. These are people I trust and who see me for who I am. They are the ones whose laughter brings me the greatest satisfaction and with whom I love so deeply and so fully I was able to let go of all of the roles and players of my day to day life.
Let go of: “Oh I couldn’t possibly leave my kids!?”
The big fat secret is that you actually can. Let your inner critic go mental, let them convince you its not going to be good, and that you don’t have the money and you shouldn’t take the time because you can just push through. Let it go wild, and then politely turn to that internal or external practical adult and say “I hear you, but I am going anyway.” Go anyway. Be alone and be with people who refill you, because after being seventeen different people to keep your family going, you are draining, even if you take yoga and hot bubble baths, there is still wear and tear. So take the time off to enjoy.
And smile.
Smile everyday.