"The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters." - Audrey Hepburn
Oh, how I love Audrey! But I had to mull this quote over for a while. Was that true? Is that all that matters? Just be happy?
So many things fill our plates of importance. Raising kids, fulfilling our jobs, making sure we maintain healthy relationships with our partners and friends, our health, caring for aging parents... the list goes on and on, but what is at the base of all of it? YOU. As individuals, we must take care of ourselves in order to have success in all we do.
For those mothers out there... remember when you had newborns the steady advice was "nap when they nap." Yeah right! That was my time to get everything else done. But those older and wiser women before us - dishing out this advice - knew better. They knew if we didn't use that time to rest, the lack of sleep would catch up to us. We must put ourselves in the forefront!
It's hard though. For years, I put my kids, husband, job before my own needs. Somebody needed a sub at 7:00 AM? Sure! I got you! Kids need a costume and two dozen cookies by tomorrow morning? No problem! I don't need to sleep! Husband wants one on one time? Of course, me too!
We wear so many hats, we forget to take them all off and just be ourselves and seek what we need.
When my kids were babies, my wise mother told me to have a list of babysitters on the ready (for date night, etc.) and have one standing sitter a week - during the day - so I could go to lunch, get a mani, or go to the grocery store without littles in tow. Best advice ever.
As my kids grew older it became a little easier. I grew too. And I'm still growing. With age and experience comes strength and confidence. Now that I don't have anyone in school anymore (thank the heavens above), I have branched out and have taken some self love leaps I have been too scared to take before. Starting a business (trying to brush away the imposter syndrome), jumping in to a high level of competitive ballroom dancing, writing, exploring... and I LOVE it!
(Now, as I type all of this I am very aware of my fortunate lifestyle and the privileges I have been given. These are luxuries not everyone gets to experience).
No matter what phase you are in life - it's time for self love! Want to take a trip? Do it! Want to play hooky one day? Do it! Want to escape for an hour and get a mani or facial! Do it! Want to have wine at lunch? Do it! Want to spend a day reading, curled up on your couch? Do it! Want to have boudoir pictures taken? Do it!!! (I did this years ago and it was one of the best things I have done. I thought I was doing them for my husband, but turns out...it made me feel sexy and powerful)! There is absolutely no reason in the world not to just go for it. Whatever it is you are dreaming about! Not just "why not" but "why the hell not?"
Audrey is right. The most important thing is to enjoy life and be happy. We only get one. Make it worth it.
xoxo, mindy
