When you’ve lived most of your adult life as a mom life is a little different. There are a lot of things I didn’t do, that most of the world values as things you should do when you are “young” or “college-age”. The seasons of my life might have been in a different order, but I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. The Byrds and Ecclesiastes said it best, “To everything turn, turn, turn….there is a season turn, turn turn.” But when you’ve spent the first part of your life being a mom, and thinking about everyone else but yourself you might not know how to NOT do that when the time comes that you don’t necessarily have to as much anymore. The kids are growing up, they are more easily able to go off and do their own thing and be left with friends or family. We have worked hard to instill independence in our children, to let them know that they are safe even when we aren’t there. I always wanted to be able to maintain a sense of who I was even as a wife and a mom. Being out, traveling and being with other people is something that sustains me. It can be hard to do that when you are a wife and mom, especially as a military spouse. And while sometimes I get to do all those things more than other times, it has always been important.

I made a promise to myself that I would do things in 2019! I would live out adventures here locally and by traveling more. I’ve identified that this is something that speaks to me and something that has been put so far on the back burner of life that it’s actually cold and starting to get a little moldy. The time has finally come, the timing is right and I really can’t wait. 2019 has started off amazing with the most amazing trip to Houston. It centered me, relaxed me, and made me excited. It truly spoke to my soul and I left a piece of myself there. The idea of traveling has never really been something that I considered. Only recently have I even been able to take the time to travel for work, so traveling for myself without it being to visit family has NEVER been a consideration. But I’ve found my joy and what my self-care is and I’m going to keep holding on tight to it.

As women, I think this is hard! As moms, this is even harder. But I challenge you to look for that happiness in 2019! Even if you still have little ones, it’s so important to be the best you and if you aren’t the best you how much can you really give to those around you?

Self-care doesn’t have to be a big production! It can be small. Here are some ideas for some simple self-care:

Manicure or Pedicure

Making time for some “Quiet Time/Devotional” whenever you can

30 Minutes of TV alone and quiet after the kids go to be

Reading a book even when you think you don’t have time

Listening to music

Going out for a cup of coffee

Grocery shopping alone

Getting a hair cut

Visiting a local museum or a new place you’ve never been

Getting a group of girlfriends together for a movie night in OR out

Picking up the phone and calling a friend or your parent

Not cooking dinner and instead ordering pizza or going out

how do you practice self-care?!