Hi moms!
I know it can be easy to get wrapped up in the things of this world. - the day to day stresses of living and trying to survive.
And, I know it can get overwhelming where some aspects of life can really drain you big time.
Questions to consider:
How much time do you spend daily devoting time to self-enhancement to refresh yourself? Examples: reading a great motivational book, listening to empowering cds, videos, etc.
How often do you treat yourself to a facial, pedicure, spa day, etc.?
How much do you focus on the blessings we have and the goals we picture ourselves achieving?
*When you do any of these things, please share with the rest of us how good you feel. Really savor the moment, ladies. You absolutely deserve it and so much more!
Thanks for all the great responses, ladies!
The point is you do what makes you happy! Hey, I currently do my own facials and pedicures. It is not expensive to boil a big pot of water and then put it on a trivet, drape a towel over my head over the steam pot and clean my pores. I make an egg and honey mask for my face. Going out to get these treatments is indeed very costly. I understand about not having time to do certain things. Sometimes, I have to create the time to do what is needed. If I don't do it, no one else will. I read or look at something uplifting daily and I love music. - singing and listening to various types. - classical, jazz, international, hip hop, R & B, light rock. I am so grateful for music and the arts! I need to purchase a new violin as mine had seen better days.
I also enjoy calligraphy, painting and sometimes sketching. :-) I also homeschool my son, have a business and do counseling on weekends. Enjoy the rest of your week!
I devote time each day to reading or watching tv for my own enjoyment. I try to treat myself once every couple of months to a massage (sometimes at a spa) and a mani/pedi on my birthday. I spend most of my time focused on my blessings. I am happy with what I have, so I have plenty to be happy about.
Wow. I apparently don't "deserve" a facial, pedicure, or spa day, because they sure don't fit into my budget. Not even close.
I am, however, exquisitely thankful for all the good in my life, the people I love, my little house, my faith, the beauty of the world. Also hot water, a good pair of toenail clippers, and a pillow. It feels great!
Never and I am probably the most stress free person you will ever meet.
Empowering CD's? Wouldn't waste my time. Facials? They make me break out and cause eczema. Motivational books? I prefer educational books and my niche fiction and my devotional Bible (among other books). Who has time for videos? Who has money for spa days?
My entire work day is spent helping people that have disabilities work toward their own independent living goals, and showing them that it can be done since I have disabilities of my own. I spend a great deal of time working toward self-improvement when at home because I have three daughters and a great husband, and I spend a great deal of time working toward self-improvement when at work because it's the nature of my job.
I'm driven by positivity. I'm goal driven. I take some time to vent and complain and then I go fix and do. That's real empowerment. How are spa days and facials empowering? How are pedicures and empowering CD's accomplishing goals? I'm curious.
I do not listen to empowering CD's. I do not watch motivational videos. I do not read motivational books.
I listen to salsa, jazz, and pop. I watch the latest movie on dvd. I read fiction. I watch mindless drivel that I love.
I don't get facials, pedicures, or spa days. Those cost money that I don't have to just frivolously waste.
I am constantly reminded about how much joy and blessings are bestowed upon my family.
I don't spend a lot of time thinking of the things I don't have and constantly think of the blessings in my life. I don't have the budget or time for frills like facials, massages, pedicures, spas, etc....... I rarely have time for cps or videos. I do get up at about five every morning for morning prayer.
i spend some time every day alone, in prayer and/or meditation. time with the gods is good. i'm addicted.
i read daily, but not motivational books. i love my fiction. if i'm in the car i usually have an audio book on, sometimes a great courses-type lecture, but often fiction.
i try to work out most days. i always feel better on days when i run. you'd think that would make it easier to get motivated to do it!
i get my nails done about once a month. a massage maybe once a year. i've only had a couple of facials in my life. loved 'em, but i can only squeeze out so much $ for that kind of thing.
i focus a lot on my blessings, not enough on visualizing my goals.
mostly i have to make sure i carve out some alone time every day, and X out a day every so often to have all to myself. i really recharge through solitude.
khairete
S.
I do not get facials or pedicures or any of those other things. I don't find that relaxing. In fact, I find all those things silly. A giant waste of money that undermines true acceptance of self.
I spend at least 30 minutes a day reading. I love reading, so I find this a great way to relieve stress and refresh myself. I also use to do yoga every morning. I'm hoping to get back into that soon...
i don't really do any of those things...
my alone time is first thing in the morning (usually 4:30-5:30) and i use the time how i see fit, depending on my mood. it is a little "me" time. often i will walk on the treadmill, and i get a lot of meditation/prayer/thinking done then.
as far as focusing on my goals - they are always with me. they are WHY i do what i do every day.
we focus on things we are thankful for, myself during my morning time, and at night my son during his prayers, we say thank you prayers. usually we list a few things we are thankful for. i'm not quite sure the goal of your post, i think you're coming from a good place. but that's how it goes at my house.
Daily, morning, meal times, nighttime I thank God for my blessings, I have the budget to get facials and ... but I choose not to, I'd rather donate that money to those without a budget for food, and I read something religiously inspirational daily.
I thank God for my blessings and even when I am suffering and I can feel God take my pain away or even my tears...he may give me peace in those moments when I use to feel deep sorrow before I prayed.
I donate and give because it makes me feel happy to think of the love a mother will feel to be able to provide food for her children.
I've been going a mindfulness/meditation class once per week for a while, and downloaded a "mindfulness bell" app to my phone, which reminds me periodically throughout the day with a chime to stop, breathe, maybe stretch (whatever I think appropriate).
I generally read a book every day on my lunch break for about 15 minutes, sometimes fiction, sometimes non-fiction. I go to all the parenting lectures/get togethers at my son's preschool, and try to at least skim parenting books to try to improve myself.
I often read something short and inspirational right before bed.
I spend time holding DH's hand or snuggling with him on the couch a couple times per week if possible. He is often gone in the evening, so it's really important to me to reconnect with him as much as I can.
The one thing I wish I could just turn off would be yelling. I haven't conquered that. But getting enough sleep and practicing mindfulness help decrease it to some extent.
