As I sit here in bed after binge watching some Netlifx on day 9 of illness, I must share with you something I have learned a little bit about these past 9 days. The first 4 days I was basically useless in live, work and parenting with the flu; fever and chills and near death likeness. And after 5 days of coughing non stop I went to the doctor to discover I have bronchitis.
So I think we can all agree, I've basically been super unproductive for 9 days. And before that I was in training for a day and a half so, basically useless for 11 days!
Now anyone that knows me, knows I am super busy. Not that I am glorifying being busy by any means. Just that I jam pack my days (I like it that way) and I've always got stuff going on.
I've had to get subs for my classes, miss meetings and clients. This all kills me, as I pride myself on being somewhere when I say I will be.
But guess what?
The world has not ended. I have missed these things and had to rely on other people (gasp!) and take help (gasp again!). And the world still continues to turn. My children still continue to be happy and healthy, work still gets done, the house has not burned down.
This is a lesson for all us busy ladies. This feeling of stress as we get all the things done and make everyone happy. This is not helping us! If anything, when we finally rest, we are likely to be sicker then the rest. Hence me on my butt for 9 whole days!!!!!!
So next time you miss hand baking cookies for the bake sale, making sure you daughter has the "perfect outfit" for school, drop the ball on a meeting or workout. Cut yourself some slack!
Also....... when you have a quiet moment. Don't fill it. Man my husband always says to me "you do it to yourself" and I get all huffy at first saying things like "well if i didn't then...." or "If I don't do this, this will/will not happen". But in reality, so what? So freakin' what? Your daughter looks like a hot mess at school and some makes fun of her? Lesson to teach about being self confident. Left out of a meeting at work while trying to "get ahead", trust your absence creates a void. When you have a damn minute to sit down. Just sit the hell down.
THAT is true self care I believe.
Love,
Jen The Bitchin' Housewife