This week, I found myself completely absorbed in an advanced copy of ‘Awake,’ the upcoming memoir by Jen Hatmaker. The opening scene? A total jaw-dropper: Jen wakes up to hear her husband whispering sweet nothings… to someone else. Yikes, right? 😳 The rest of the book takes us on this emotional rollercoaster through the aftermath. But what really struck me was a moment in therapy that resonates deeply with so many of us.
The Importance of Self-Nurturing
During one of her therapy sessions, Jen opens up about her worries concerning her kids. Here’s the plot twist that I absolutely love: her therapist nudges her to redirect some of that energy inward. “Why don’t you spend some energy mothering yourself?” she asks. At first, Jen is a bit lost—she’s so caught up in her to-do list that she forgets to check in with herself. But then, her therapist poses this game-changing question: “What would a good mother do here?” And just like that, it hits her like a ton of bricks: “Tell me to drink more water and quit Facebook stalking.” 💦
And honestly, isn’t that something we all need to hear? The whole concept of self-care isn’t about rigid schedules or ticking boxes; it’s about treating ourselves with the same love and compassion we extend to our loved ones. Jen puts it beautifully: it’s “not like a teacher assigning benchmarks, not like a preacher dictating behaviors, not like a coach hyping the play call…but like a mother taking care of her beloved’s little heart and body and feelings as if they matter more than the work rate.” How poetic is that? 🌼
How Do You Parent Yourself?
When life gets tough, how do you tap into that nurturing spirit within? Do you curl up in bed early with a good book? Or binge-watch your favorite comfort movie? Maybe you reach out to friends for a bit of support? Personally, when I find myself spiraling over past mistakes—like a work project that crashed and burned or a tough interaction with my kids—I have a little mantra I repeat: “I’m learning.” It’s so liberating to remind myself that imperfection is part of being human. We’re all evolving, after all! 🌱
And yes, maybe it’s time we all start drinking more water! 💧 But in all seriousness, acknowledging our flaws and giving ourselves grace is crucial. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about growth. Who else relates to this? 🙋♀️
Sharing the Love
As I reflect on this, I can’t help but think of the best parenting advice I’ve ever received. It’s like the Grand Canyon trick for worriers: sometimes you just have to step back and look at the big picture. When we allow ourselves to breathe and acknowledge our efforts, we can nurture not just ourselves but also our relationships with others. It creates a ripple effect of love and understanding. 💖
And speaking of love, I recently went on a date that started off pretty well… but that’s a whole other story! Maybe I’ll spill the details next time! 😉 What about you? How do you nurture yourself in those challenging moments? Let’s chat below! 👇
If you’re in need of a laugh or a little pick-me-up, I’ve got some fun videos lined up that are sure to brighten your day! 😄
