I started small.
Some of the things I enjoyed for self-care in the past, like bubble baths, taking Netflix breaks, and preparing healthy meals in advance, I was able to continue doing during the pandemic. Some others, like those which addressed my need for down-time to decompress, could not be continued.
Some challenges I experienced, or continue to experience, are:
- I am never alone. Like, never ever. It's like having toddlers all over again. There were no more daytime hours to myself during the school week, because there was no school week. The kids were home all day and practicing social distance with everyone outside of the home.
- I do not make myself a priority. Kids first, partner second, insert dozens of other things here, then myself last. Often, I only address my basic needs and never get to self-care. I can tell others all day long that self-care isn't selfish, yet this seems to be a huge struggle for me.
- Carrying the mental load is exhausting. The load has only increased since the kids and I have moved to Florida. My partner is still working in the Midwest and won't be joining us until mid-August.
- I am having to social distance from my support people. I miss hugs. A lot.
- Everything changed quickly and drastically. Change is hard and the learning curve during this time is steep. I have spent the last few months stuck between "overwhelmed" and "frenzied". I'm T I R E D.
So, what can I do? Well, I reached out to my professors and classmates, my family, my best friend, and "the google" for suggestions. I will write more on that in my next blog post :)
Some of the things I enjoyed for self-care in the past, like bubble baths, taking Netflix breaks, and preparing healthy meals in advance, I was able to continue doing during the pandemic. Some others, like those which addressed my need for down-time to decompress, could not be continued.
- I am never alone. Like, never ever. It's like having toddlers all over again. There were no more daytime hours to myself during the school week, because there was no school week. The kids were home all day and practicing social distance with everyone outside of the home.
- I do not make myself a priority. Kids first, partner second, insert dozens of other things here, then myself last. Often, I only address my basic needs and never get to self-care. I can tell others all day long that self-care isn't selfish, yet this seems to be a huge struggle for me.
- Carrying the mental load is exhausting. The load has only increased since the kids and I have moved to Florida. My partner is still working in the Midwest and won't be joining us until mid-August.
- I am having to social distance from my support people. I miss hugs. A lot.
- Everything changed quickly and drastically. Change is hard and the learning curve during this time is steep. I have spent the last few months stuck between "overwhelmed" and "frenzied". I'm T I R E D.
So, what can I do? Well, I reached out to my professors and classmates, my family, my best friend, and "the google" for suggestions. I will write more on that in my next blog post :)
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