I tend to try to do too much. It’s not that I’m an overachiever, it’s just that I really truly feel like life is too short for all the things I want to do before I die. I want to SCUBA dive in Maldives, hike the John Muir trail, take a surfing vacation with my sister, get back on my mountain bike for some wicked single track yo. I want to see the sun rise on the Inca Trail and meditate with the monks in Tibet. I want to drink wine with my friends pretty much every night. There are so many things I want to do, but the thing that trumps most is my writing.
So whenever I have free time I’m inclined of be in front of my computer typing away. The thing is, with the new baby and the three year old and the husband I still love spending time with after ten years, there just isn’t much free time and I often end up feeling stressed out.
I like to think I hide it well, but at my writing group the other night I wasn’t fooling anyone. It was probably the crying that tipped them off. They insisted that I make some time for me this week. One of the ladies in my group suggested I check out a place called Heart and Sole in Pasadena. They do a full body, hour long massage, clothes on, in the leather recliners that manicurists use, for just $25. I was skeptical, but was too stressed out to argue.
I got a babysitter and went for it.
I’m pretty sure the babysitter thinks I’m having an affair. I left stressed and frazzled, and came back relaxed, with my hair all a mess (from the scalp massage). It was just what I needed. It changed my whole outlook.
Sometimes it’s hard to put yourself first. In fact, I think as moms we tend to err on the side of putting ourselves last, but it’s like when you’re on an airplane and they tell you to put your own mask on first, then help the kids you’re traveling with. There’s a reason they say that.
So this one goes out to the ladies in my writing group. You were right. Thank you.
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