Time for Yourself

{This is a guest post by Kristin Morrissey.}

How many times have you exchanged the phrase “Take Care” with someone – could be a new acquaintance or an old friend, either as a polite social closing or a deeply meaningful plea.   Whatever the circumstances, we seem to dish out “take cares” freely to anyone and everyone…except to ourselves.

And the reasons are many.  Though we know we should take better care of ourselves, we are short on time, resources or ideas.  Too many other people and things need caring for, and we’ll eventually get to us when life settles down just a little.

But what would it be like if there was a way to care for ourselves while doing regular life?

It would have to be simple, right?  And we would probably need some kind of proof before we’d invest in anything new that requires our attention.

Before I took Lisa Byrne’s “Designed for Wellness” course, there were many things I knew about healthy living that pretty much stayed in my head and did not trickle down to behavioral changes.

For example I knew I should eat better – more whole grains, more vegetables, less processed stuff, and it’s preferable if the whole foods are organic.  I knew I should drink my 8 glasses of water per day.  I knew I should do something about my obsession with chocolate.  I knew these were good philosophies but other than a general notion of “being healthier” I never knew what was truly in it for me.

Lisa’s class taught me, by experience, that what I put into my body in the way of nutrition could actually give back to me in terms of increased energy, greater stamina, and more steady emotions.

I had no idea that taking care of myself could be a series of choices that happen in the midst of everything else, and that instead of being another chore, it would feel so good!

It feels good to eat foods that satisfy and nourish instead of being perpetually hungry and not really knowing why.

It feels good to know when I’m actually thirsty versus hungry.

It feels good to know what foods to reach for when I’m feeling spacey and need some grounding.

It feels good to deeply enjoy special treats instead of feeling guilty for snacking on “bad food”.

It feels good to be free of the battle with willpower, restrictions and clever mind games and be finally able to trust my body to know what is best.

And it feels really good to take care of myself by applying the Golden Rule to me  - offering myself the same grace, forgiveness, and second (or third) chances I would to anyone else I love.

So the next time you tell someone to “take care,” use that moment to imagine how good it might feel to take care of you.

Kristin Batstone Morrissey is a stay-at-home mom of 4 kiddos ages 10, 8, 6 and 3.  She lives in a city by the sea and enjoys yoga, photography, piano playing and listening to audio books while folding laundry. Check out her blog here.

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