I just finished reading the book, “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis. She is a talented motivational speaker for women and she’s a mother of four. If you haven’t heard of her before, you can find her books in the library or look up her podcast and listen to it now.
Here’s a quote from this book that I love:
“You cannot properly take care of your children or teach them how to be whole and happy people if you are miserable and harsh with yourself.”
It strikes a chord with me because as a mom, it can be hard to do the basics like drink enough water and eat full, healthy meals on a daily basis. I especially remember when my daughter was an infant and how difficult this was.
While visiting a neighbor recently, one of the mom’s openly shared a health scare she had while working out. She was in a local HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workout class–which is a normal activity for her–and she fainted at the end of the class! She described the event as scary (of course it would be), but she also felt ashamed when it happened.
Her words went something like, “At the end of the class, I was feeling light headed. I knew I was going to faint and tried to tell the instructor. Then I just fell to the floor. After I came to a little, I saw everyone in the class walking around me while I was lying on the ground. I heard sirens as well. I felt ashamed and sorry that I was causing a scene.”
Here’s the background: she had her second child a few months prior. She also mentioned that she hasn’t been sleeping all that well (thanks to having a newborn!). She also said she wasn’t drinking enough water and not eating full meals. Truly, there should be no shame in any of this. Think about our husbands and what they would do if they fainted. “I am so sorry for causing a scene!” said no man ever.
All moms have days like this; a wake-up call, as they say, to remember to practice more self-care and general wellness. I, too, have found excuses for not taking care of myself physically. Over Memorial Day weekend I was over at my friend’s house. Her puppy’s rope got caught around my ankle (not anyone’s fault but the puppy!). It hurt, but I brushed it off as nothing, as no big deal. I didn’t want to cause a scene. I just wanted to move on and enjoy the limited time I had with my friends. The following days it became infected and, as I write this, it’s still healing.
It is a daily struggle for this mom to drink enough water and eat healthy, full meals and I have just one tiny human to take care of! All of us struggle to keep up with our self-care.
Here’s another quote from Rachel’s book:
“Imagine living your motherhood out from now on until forever, without guilt…it’s possible. It’s also a choice.”
So, here’s my call my action. Let’s make a pact right now to no longer shame ourselves or feel guilty when taking care of ourselves (physically and mentally). Let’s raise our children to be happy and whole by showing them we value wellness in ourselves so that, as adults, they will love themselves and take care of their minds and bodies.
About Chelsey Slack
Duluthian mom and wife, Chelsey is a writer, full-time product expert for SAP, is forever curious and focuses on keeping it real. She holds a B/A in Communications and Journalism. She can be found running in and around Duluth, playing Barbies with her daughter or eating sushi on a date night with her husband. Want to get in touch? You can follow her on Twitter.
