Is it selfish?

Why is it that as a woman and as a Mama this took me so long to learn AND so long to come to terms with?

It's like when I became a Mom this alarm went off in my head that I had to take care of everyone else first, including the dog. Where does this come from?

I wasn't taught this - at least not blatantly taught this but there was always this "should" hovering over me and then if I did do something for myself, there was guilt.

This has to stop NOW. It is not selfish to take care of ourselves FIRST. In fact, it's selfish if we don't because in the long run, we are affecting our mental health, physical health and overall well-being which then impacts EVERYONE in our lives.

This is what I have learned: when I make myself a priority, I am HAPPIER. I have more energy, more pep in my step. I smile more. I reach out to friends & family more. Not only are my family & friends positively affected by this happier me, but so is the Barista at Starbucks, or the Clerk at Superstore, or the person on the other end of the call. Whomever it is, when I am happier, EVERYONE I come in contact with is positively affected too.

So yes, we are spending the rest of our lives with ourselves - we are also positively affecting EVERY SINGLE HUMAN we come in contact with.

That my friends is HUGE!

Of course I love that I am a role model for my kids and all kids in my life - I also love that I can put a smile on someone's face who has no idea who I am - and I can only do that because my bucket is full.

Fill your buckets first .... and then spread love, positivity and joy. We all need more of that!