Hey there Herd Sis,
About 13 years ago, my eldest child and I were invited to be part of a Sesame Street video on emergency preparedness for families. It was a video geared at the Spanish-speaking population of young families and was entitled, “Preparémonos.” (Let’s Get Ready). Click on the link to watch. But don’t blink or you might miss us!
As you can imagine, it was filled with cute sing-a-longs and pertinent advice on having a plan at home for emergencies, the value of a well-stocked first aid kit, and basics like teaching your children your first and last name.
If you think about it, there are all sorts of important plans throughout the course of one’s life.
There’s the 5-year plan, college savings plan, retirement plan, the omnipresent diet plan, and of course, a family emergency preparedness plan.
However, there is another kind of plan that is not as openly discussed, but critically as important:
Your Self-Care Plan.
It is SO a thing! Your self-care plan is highly individualized and meant to be your go-to before and when the shizz hits the fan.
Much like a 401K plan, developing a self-care plan is a long-term pursuit that requires investment and tweaks along the way.
By designing a self-care strategy that is uniquely your own, you’re directing your best self to reflect on what you may need in times of crisis and what you need to help thwart crises altogether.
It is both the preventive and the remedy.
What may work for you today, may not down the line.
But that’s ok.
The beauty of developing a self-care plan is dialing into what your needs are NOW.
Once you are accustomed to:
The reality is that only YOU know how intense your stress levels can get, what resources are available to you, and when and how to best utilize them.
It's truly no different than preparing that well-stocked first aid kit at home.
As I think back to that day filming in the park, I remember enjoying a different kind of afternoon with Sabrina. It was a break for me as I also had an infant and toddler at home, and held down a part-time job. It felt like a vacation to be with just her for those few hours.
I was so exhausted back then.
Like many young moms, I was running on fumes, putting everyone else’s needs before my own. I didn’t know how to say no. I tended to my family’s needs till I was spent.
I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. I thought that’s what being a good mother was.
I was wrong. Life and experience have shown me that.
Now that my children are older, I am far more aware that I am leading by example. I want my children to recognize what their needs are and how to tend to them.
I hope I am modeling that.
And by the way, what I describe above is not entirely unique to mothers; it’s common for many women.
We are nurturers by nature and often forget to fill our own cup before pouring it out for others.
So where is our video? The one that teaches us the importance of learning our own limits and the value of asking for help or saying no?
Instead of Preparémonos, we can call it, “Girl, put your oxygen mask on NOW.” or “For the love of God, JUST SAY NO!”
I am sure you can help me come up with some more clever titles!
While there may be no video out there for us right now, there are resources to help us get started.
On Wednesday, March 24th at 7 PM, we are hosting our first virtual Sister Talk of the year on this very topic: Discovering Holistic Self-Care Techniques.
Preparémonos (Let's get ready) TOGETHER! Click here for more information.
As always, if this resonates with you, please share your thoughts in the comments below. Beautiful things happen when women open up and share.
Lots of love,
Carolyn
About 13 years ago, my eldest child and I were invited to be part of a Sesame Street video on emergency preparedness for families. It was a video geared at the Spanish-speaking population of young families and was entitled, “Preparémonos.” (Let’s Get Ready). Click on the link to watch. But don’t blink or you might miss us!
As you can imagine, it was filled with cute sing-a-longs and pertinent advice on having a plan at home for emergencies, the value of a well-stocked first aid kit, and basics like teaching your children your first and last name.
If you think about it, there are all sorts of important plans throughout the course of one’s life.
There’s the 5-year plan, college savings plan, retirement plan, the omnipresent diet plan, and of course, a family emergency preparedness plan.
However, there is another kind of plan that is not as openly discussed, but critically as important:
Your Self-Care Plan.
It is SO a thing! Your self-care plan is highly individualized and meant to be your go-to before and when the shizz hits the fan.
Much like a 401K plan, developing a self-care plan is a long-term pursuit that requires investment and tweaks along the way.
By designing a self-care strategy that is uniquely your own, you’re directing your best self to reflect on what you may need in times of crisis and what you need to help thwart crises altogether.
It is both the preventive and the remedy.
What may work for you today, may not down the line.
But that’s ok.
The beauty of developing a self-care plan is dialing into what your needs are NOW.
Once you are accustomed to:
- turning your watchful eye inward
- paying attention to what feeds your soul
- or even keeping a curious and open mind
The reality is that only YOU know how intense your stress levels can get, what resources are available to you, and when and how to best utilize them.
It's truly no different than preparing that well-stocked first aid kit at home.
As I think back to that day filming in the park, I remember enjoying a different kind of afternoon with Sabrina. It was a break for me as I also had an infant and toddler at home, and held down a part-time job. It felt like a vacation to be with just her for those few hours.
I was so exhausted back then.
Like many young moms, I was running on fumes, putting everyone else’s needs before my own. I didn’t know how to say no. I tended to my family’s needs till I was spent.
I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. I thought that’s what being a good mother was.
I was wrong. Life and experience have shown me that.
Now that my children are older, I am far more aware that I am leading by example. I want my children to recognize what their needs are and how to tend to them.
I hope I am modeling that.
And by the way, what I describe above is not entirely unique to mothers; it’s common for many women.
We are nurturers by nature and often forget to fill our own cup before pouring it out for others.
So where is our video? The one that teaches us the importance of learning our own limits and the value of asking for help or saying no?
Instead of Preparémonos, we can call it, “Girl, put your oxygen mask on NOW.” or “For the love of God, JUST SAY NO!”
I am sure you can help me come up with some more clever titles!
While there may be no video out there for us right now, there are resources to help us get started.
On Wednesday, March 24th at 7 PM, we are hosting our first virtual Sister Talk of the year on this very topic: Discovering Holistic Self-Care Techniques.
Preparémonos (Let's get ready) TOGETHER! Click here for more information.
As always, if this resonates with you, please share your thoughts in the comments below. Beautiful things happen when women open up and share.
Lots of love,
Carolyn