There is part of me that feels a little called out, but also slightly honored you read what I wrote and felt called to write something around it. Ironically, or perfectly, before even reading this, I thought about writing a follow up to that post because I see the gaps. The more I work with my own neurodivergence, my own needs, the more I see tiny little pauses (literally started a doc called this writing about my experiences) as what I need, and sometimes all I can get. It truly is about what is sustainable.
Hopefully the honored part wins, because that's the spirit I intended. We can model baby steps toward that ultimate goal of having a life where self-care is built in. I'm desperate right now to go somewhere for a week that has no wifi, but it's not at all practical. So today I'll take a walk around the block and leave my phone behind.
It does, and I knew it was your intention. Your posts sparked me to write another post around the topic. I think I needed to differentiate between the part of me who is desperate for quiet and what is actually manageable in my day to day life.
Oh, this resonates. I find when my son is at home and with all the supervision and attention he requires, I can't settle mentally even when he goes to his day program. It's like I'm in a state of chronic stress.
Things that do help:
-Walking
-Reading fiction (and not feeling guilty for reading in the middle of the day)
-Laughter (mainly from playing games with my daughter and my husband)
-Wordle and the other 3-4 online games I do (I love this early morning routine, accompanied by coffee)
Thanks for writing about self-care and reminding us it's possible, even in small ways.
Also, Jeannie, it seems you’ve created some great rituals for those transitions. Maybe by clarifying to yourself that it’s a ritual specifically designed to wind down and interrupt the loop of chronic stress, your nervous system will listen.
For me it takes several yawns to get the message across…
There is part of me that feels a little called out, but also slightly honored you read what I wrote and felt called to write something around it. Ironically, or perfectly, before even reading this, I thought about writing a follow up to that post because I see the gaps. The more I work with my own neurodivergence, my own needs, the more I see tiny little pauses (literally started a doc called this writing about my experiences) as what I need, and sometimes all I can get. It truly is about what is sustainable.
Hopefully the honored part wins, because that's the spirit I intended. We can model baby steps toward that ultimate goal of having a life where self-care is built in. I'm desperate right now to go somewhere for a week that has no wifi, but it's not at all practical. So today I'll take a walk around the block and leave my phone behind.
It does, and I knew it was your intention. Your posts sparked me to write another post around the topic. I think I needed to differentiate between the part of me who is desperate for quiet and what is actually manageable in my day to day life.
Linking your new post here: https://beinginmotherhood.substack.com/p/following-up-on-self-care
Thank you!
Oh, this resonates. I find when my son is at home and with all the supervision and attention he requires, I can't settle mentally even when he goes to his day program. It's like I'm in a state of chronic stress.
Things that do help:
-Walking
-Reading fiction (and not feeling guilty for reading in the middle of the day)
-Laughter (mainly from playing games with my daughter and my husband)
-Wordle and the other 3-4 online games I do (I love this early morning routine, accompanied by coffee)
Thanks for writing about self-care and reminding us it's possible, even in small ways.
Also, Jeannie, it seems you’ve created some great rituals for those transitions. Maybe by clarifying to yourself that it’s a ritual specifically designed to wind down and interrupt the loop of chronic stress, your nervous system will listen.
For me it takes several yawns to get the message across…
“HEY! Everyone’s safe. It’s reset time.”
These are great suggestions Jeannie! Thank you!
"We have to practice self care with ZERO shame attached." YES! I'm so glad you chose life Sarah.