What did you do for YOU today?

I didn't workout today like I had planned earlier in the week... And that's okay!

Maybe you grew up like I did, in a home that praised self-sacrifice and servitude. Maybe you were taught that it's "selfish" to do nice things for yourself (I can still hear my dad's voice in my head yelling, "you're burning daylight!") Whatever the case may be, many of us can relate to feeling like we don't deserve the self care that we need - whether that be cooking a healthy meal, taking time to work out, or sleeping a little extra.

Something I've been working on a lot this year is reframing selfishness into self care. Filling my bucket with things that nourish my mind, body, soul, so that I can perform day-to-day tasks better. The importance of this is often touted but rarely practiced. We get so caught up in life that we neglect to recognize when we are worn out and need a break.

What are some ways that you take care of yourself, love yourself, value yourself? For me it's gym time, painting, cooking for my family, listening to music. After I had my son, I lost a lot of my identity because I was so wrapped up in just being Mom. A couple months after I gave birth, I found a small gym with an amazing daycare that I trusted, and was able to find Katy again by creating that time for myself to get a great workout in everyday. And you know what? I still struggle with it sometimes. That little voice that says it would be selfish if I spent extra time in the gym because I could be doing <enter whatever random productive thing here> instead. Thankfully, I've surrounded myself with people who will encourage and support me, who remind me that it's not just a hobby, it's a very necessary part of my life that I deserve to do.

I invest in my health because it's a way to show myself AND my family love. You can't pour from an empty bucket, folks. If you're putting time, effort, money into feeling good, it's going to show up in all the other areas of your life as well.