Do you include yourself in the list of things you need to take care of daily?
I asked that question a few days ago, and I haven’t been able to get away from it.
Most of us know how to make sure everybody else is taken care of. We remember appointments, show up for family, serve, work, encourage, pray, help, check in, and handle whatever needs handling.
But somewhere in the middle of taking care of everybody else, it is very easy to leave ourselves off the list.
And lately, I’ve been reminded just how important that is.
This past weekend, I wasn’t able to participate in the cancer walk. I missed my granddaughter’s homecoming. I missed church again. And Sunday, I missed my grandson’s football game — where that baby made two touchdowns! Pastor went and videoed it for me, and I was grateful to be able to see it that way.
But I wanted to be there.
And lying here unable to do the things I would normally be doing has made something very clear to me:
Taking care of yourself is not separate from enjoying the people you love. It helps make those moments possible.
We can become so accustomed to pushing through, showing up, and taking care of business that we forget the body carrying us through all of it needs attention too.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish.
It may look like keeping the appointment.
Listening when your body tells you something has changed.
Resting when you need to rest.
Asking for help.
Setting a boundary.
Making room to breathe.
Doing what is necessary now so you can continue showing up for the life and people you love.
You can be called to care for others and still be responsible for caring for yourself.
Those two things do not compete.
You are not just the person responsible for the list.
You belong on the list.
So before you start checking off everything that needs your attention today, look at that list one more time.
Is your name on it?
~Smiling Atcha~
