This is a gentle reminder for me and anyone reading this to give yourself grace. When I initially created this blog, I was excited and had several content ideas I wanted to write about. Around the same time, I decided to take on a workout challenge and be there for the birth of my nephew while also continuing to work in an online course during the summer. I succeeded in accomplishing all the things I set out to do, but at the end of it, I was worn out. With the birth of my nephew, I was quickly reminded of why new moms are so tired.
By the time I returned home from helping my family, my workout routine had fallen apart, I had more days of sleeping in late then getting up, I completed the online course on fumes, and my content for this blog decreased to zero. During all of this, my cycle came which zapped the last remaining energy I had. To know me is to know that my cycle is a beast, and my energy usually tanks during the week it’s here. Let’s not talk about the two weeks prior to the cycle. That is a whole blog for another day.
During this time as well, I received news at a follow-up healthcare visit that I had low vitamin and hormone levels, which can contribute to the fatigue I had been having. To be honest, I’ve had issues with fatigue and concentration for a while, but I finally realized this should not be a normal everyday occurrence. My healthcare provider and I came up with a plan to get me back on track. It has taken me baby steps since that follow-up to come to grips again with the importance of my self-care and how my routine can contribute to myself care.
This summer was a busy one, and I felt like it went by in a blur. I had to step back and remind myself of the things I did accomplish. Those things may have seemed small at first, but as my grandmother often reminds me the Bible says “Do not despise small things.” Those small things have made a major impact. The creation of the blog made an impact on my ability to overcome that initial feeling of fear and anxiety I had when deciding to start this blog. My completion of my two-week strengthening workout had a positive impact on my health, my mood, and my goal to prove I can be consistent with my workouts. The completion of my online course had an impact on my family because it provided additional income for our home. Being there for the birth of my nephew had an impact because I was able to provide my sister with time to get the necessary rest she needed as a new mom. The visit with my health care provider had an impact because it helped me realize it was necessary for me to take care of myself just as I care for my family’s health care needs.
I had to again realize it is okay to stop when you are running on fumes. You cannot pour from an empty cup. You cannot be the best for anyone else if you are not the best for yourself first. I beat myself up mentally after I returned home because I did not have the get up and go I felt I should have in the mornings. I did not have the mental or physical energy to workout, plan for the fall semester, or any other necessary things I needed to do. The part that really bothered me was that I did not have the energy to do my morning routing (i.e. Bible time, workout, shower, breakfast, and coffee). My early morning routine is my happy place. It is my time when I have no distractions, and it helps me get prepared for the rest of my day. Without it, I felt I had lost myself.
Then I was reminded to give myself grace because a lot has happened this summer.I still haven’t planned any workouts, but I walked for 30-minutes yesterday and an hour today in nature. I didn’t have any distance requirements with my walks. I just wanted to walk, and those walks made a world of difference. I was able to contribute to my health while viewing beautiful scenery. See pictures below.
If you look at my feature image, you should see the rainbow in the water. That rainbow reminded me of God’s promise and also that each day is a new day to begin again. I plan to work back towards getting on my routine. I know it will be needed because the kids will start school soon, and the fall semester is right around the corner. I just needed that gentle reminder to give myself grace. I cannot pour from an empty cup, and I cannot take care of others if I do not take care of me first.
