Selfcare or Selfish

As I sit here I already know that once this is written I am going for a nap, I can do this as I have reduced my hours at work. You may think to yourself, "oh its alright for some", "If I had the money I would do that too" and I don't blame you, once upon a time I would have been saying just that, in fact it wasn't that long ago.

So what changed for me to go from wishing I could reduce my working week to actually doing it? And no I didn't win the lottery, inherit a load of money or have a dodgy scheme going on. I just realised my self worth and health had greater value than money. Of course like anyone I have a house to pay for, two children to keep happy and healthy and a husband too. Money is not pouring in, if anything it is tight but again that is a matter of opinion. See if we continue to live the life we are accustomed to our money will disappear in a flash, but, if we reduce our luxuries and change our priorties we can have a wholesome happy life. Life is not about money its about enjoying and living the best life we can.

My selfcare has really increased this year, mainly due to a condition I have been diagnosed with but to be honest its been a long time coming. Its something I have longed for and I felt envious of other people who made the leap, so finally I made the leap myself. Some people will say I am being selfish and not doing my best for my family, but I ask you this.... What do children need more, toys or a healthly happy parent? I have faith that you would agree a healthy happy parent trumps toys any day of the week. As for toys and days out, yes my kids will have them but do children always need things thrown at them? Shouldn't they be able to find happiness in the simple things in life? Well thats a conversation for another day lol.

My selfcare on a daily basis looks a bit like this..... I eat good low carb foods, I meditate, I try to fit in a Yoga or Tai Chi session (Thanks to YouTube), I use incense, burn candles, attempt an early bedtime and spend time studying therapies and other areas of interest. Three days a week I work from 8.15am until 2pm and I also have my own private therapy clients. I make sure I nap if I need it, sit and do nothing if I need to and of course spend time in nature. All of this makes me a healthier, happier and chilled parent and this reflects well on my children. They to are more chilled, their anxieties decrease, they have a greater understanding of what is important in life. They still want toys and icecreams, trips, holidays, sleepovers and the list goes on, but they have a good foundation and they are not throwing themself to the floor in the middle of a super market or stomping around slamming doors at home. Please if your children do these things dont take me the wrong way, I am not in anyway saying your not a good parent. Believe me I have had the melt downs in the aisles, going out the front door and in the past shouting matches but I have found they have pretty much disappeared for me for the moment. I say for the moment, and I quote "change is the only constant in life" - Heraclitus. Tommorrow my daughter could have a massive melt down in supermarket or my son a shouting match over a toy. I am just grateful for they way things are right now and enjoying it until it passes/if it passes (fingers crossed it doesn't lol).

To many people in life do not selfcare enough, this could be for a number of reasons, often they are because they don't want to be seen as lazy and selfish, they don't want to be known for letting people down, saying no, not being that person who stays late at work when others do, the parent that isn't living up to the facebook fantasy of what a family should look like and the continious outtings and actitives that every family seems to be doing and your not. There are so many reasons why we don't just take five minutes to breath, taste the hot liquid running down our throats and the food being shovelled into our mouths. Our minds are always somewhere else, thinking of the next thing we must do. Live doesn't have to be that way. Yes I get busy with regular daily activities, work, kids and my company but to be able to give it my best I have to rest and so do you! The world is not going to fall appart if you take 10, 15, 30, hell! a hour to yourself. Everything will still be there where you left it but now you will have a clearer and more relaxed mind to focus on it and perform the task even better than before.

Its okay to have me time, its okay to say no, its okay to sit down and do nothing for a while. Selfcare is not Selfish its a necessity of a healthly mind and body.

Well its now nap time for me before meeting with a wonderful friend for a walk in the park and a coffee. Remember Selfcare really I worth it x

Sending Love, Light and Healing your way

Danica x