Self Care is Survival

A hot bathtub filled with Bubbleaux, along with a scented candle, a glass of wine, a bath pillow, and dim lights… sounds like a relaxing way to treat yourself? If you are shaking your head ‘yes’, I have to disagree with you. 

A nice long soak in a bubble bath is not a treat, it’s a necessity. Okay… maybe the glass of wine can be considered a treat. Taking time to relax your muscles, relieve tension, close your eyes, and meditate is part of self-care and necessary. I was reminded of this the other day. You see, I practiced self-care before I had even heard of self-care.

Let me explain…

Ya know when some women go through pregnancy glowing, without nausea, only weight they gain is there baby bump? Well, I was not that woman. When I was pregnant with my daughter, it was a rough pregnancy almost from conception. Filled with nausea, bed rest, and multiple trips to the ER.

After my daughter was born, I was so relieved the pregnancy was over and I could get back to some kind of normalcy.

Haha, well we all know… that didn’t happen. What was an uncomfortable and difficult pregnancy lead to a very fussy baby. Actually, no fussy is not the right word. Non-stop, screaming is a better description. Doctors could not find anything medically wrong with her and assured both me and my husband, that she would grow out of it. And ya know that look they give you like you are crazy?  Yea, I got that look, more than once. This phase lasted 6 months.

Sometimes, 10 to 12 hours would pass before she would take a break from crying. I’m guessing she was as exhausted as I was. The second she quieted down, I would run a hot bath, light some candles, turn off the lights, jump in the tub, and close my eyes.

The soothing hot water would melt away the stressors of my day. Those few minutes of peace kept me going. Between this nightly ritual and lots of prayers, I made it through.  But deep down inside My Sage would remind me that this is a passing phase. Soon, she would outgrow this screaming stage and one day become my best friend.

My Sage always reminded me, in those moments that I wanted to give up, that this too shall pass, and that there was a few quite moments on the horizon.

As I learned even way back then, you don’t need a special occasion or an exceptionally bad day to practice self-care.

Everyday should be dedicated towards taking care of yourself, it’s part of our survival as women.

Instead of jumping in and then out of the tub, take a few moments and put a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your bathroom door, and soak in a hot tub and don’t forget to add the Bubbleaux. Loving yourself is the best way to take care of those around you.

Until Next Time, Blessings and Bubbles,