Self Care 101
I got a call from a friend today. It was a life saver.. or a sanity saver. Thank you universe for putting such wonderful friends along my path.
She has two kids same ages as mine.... yes, she's one of my friends that i was talking about envying.... today in a simple 5 minutes she helped me realize what I need is some self care STAT!
In our "how are you doing?" chat I was more honest than usual and said I'm wondering if I'm anemic, maybe a little depressed or what, I wasn't sure. I'm just so tired, did she ever feel just tired? But moreso than body tired, just mentally exhausted? Fed-up. Kind of aggitated and pissed off... that "in my own persona hell" kind of space. She gave the empathetic chuckle and then we both sighed. She asked how long I'd been feeling this way etc etc etc.
- Am I getting enough sleep?
--- uh, no. Baby Girl has been waking up three times a night lately ( at least two weeks now)due to teething or head cold. I usually get to bed around midnight or one and am up for the day by 8. Baby girl wakes around 3ish, 6ish and 7.
- Am I getting some exercise?
-- uh, not lately in terms of that **Ahhhh**** 3 miles runs or hour long hard core yoga classes I miss. Broken walks with Big boy in trike and Baby Girl in stroller aren't sooooo good on the stress level (ie. stop at the corner! c'mon c'mon! Here, let me help you get out of that ditch.... don't run into my ankle, that hurts!... no bumping the stroller, please.) Or the park walk and chase and walk and chase with either Baby Girl in arms, on boob, or in stroller... or in arms while pushing stroller.
- Am I taking my vitamins and eating right?
-- eating "right"? yes... eating enough? no. Vitamins? yes.
So I was happy to realize it's likely NOT a counselor I need, but more a trip to the local sporting goods store for a new set of sneakers and a jock bra that won't quit. Of course that does raise the jogger stroller question... but hey, that's cool. A jogger stroller costs a lot less than a counselor or **yikes** meds!
I have been missing running a lot lately and mentioned to my sis this weekend that I would really enjoy getting back into it and running the occasional 10K on weekends with babe in jogger stroller etc. I don't have the time to train for a marathon right now... it takes a lot of time and recovery time I just don't have, but I'm sure I can manage getting up to 10k endurance quickly. I imagine I'll do another marathon or so in my life... it was really too cool to NOT do again... but I can't see jumping back into mommy duty too well the day after a race like that.
ANYWAY.... I get off the phone, then I came downstairs and Hubby sent me the url for the GREATEST MOMMY TOY EVER!! I mean, that thing rivals my Odessey.
So I now see a light at the end of this tunnel. Yes, finding time will be rough... but I don't see getting more outside help anytime soon. Childcare at gyms has proven more than once to be FRIGHTENING. Getting to the pool for lap swim or Master's at 6am just ain't happening. I'll get better. I'll feel better soon.