The Maintenance of One’s Self

I’ve never really liked the term “self-care”.  Maybe because it sounds obvious, like taking time for personal hygiene, diet and exercise and I’ve always been pretty regimented about those things.  (Okay, I know there were times in my life when I should have showered more often… I promise I’ve progressed, Mom!)  Maybe also because it rings a little bit selfish - even though I know the idea isn’t.  I have also balked at some of the things that are justified under the umbrella of “self-care”, because sometimes it seems like an excuse to break rules or budgets indiscriminately (which is totally personal anyway, so I can’t really judge).  But even with all of these negative connotations, I can’t deny that certain activities do help me to feel more like myself, and I have decided that for me that is really the essence of the term.

Writing is one of those things.  I have loved to write letters for the longest time, always choosing that above other forms for my (home)school assignments.  I have had cherished correspondences with cousins, grandparents, friends, and I even wrote a letter to Ol’ Joe Camel in kindergarten (public school) to ask him to stop smoking. I don’t think it had any effect on him, but I enjoyed the project.  I also enjoy writing poetry, but these days most of it limited to the simple songs I sing to the kids when they are getting a diaper change or going to bed, which change slightly every time.

(To the tune of Albuquerque, He’s My Turkey) 

Oh you’re poopy

And it’s gloopy

And it’s stinky as can be,

But we’ll change it

Rearrange it

And then you can wander free!

Masterful, I know.  If it’s a quadruple wiper then they might even get a second verse. Anyway, here is an incomplete list of some of the other things that make me feel quite like myself: eating berries, playing piano, sewing (even though my skills are VERY basic), climbing, running, eating toast, reading books aloud to others, swimming, mowing the lawn, and shaving my legs.  I am going to start a list in the Notes app on my phone of other things, so that when I feel myself missing I can remember to go eat a cup of berries or something.

In other news, I am super excited for Easter!  We are working on improving our Easter traditions/celebrations and the possibilities are so vast.  I’m a big fan of food celebrations (surprise, surprise), so I’m sure there will be at least one trip to the Middle Eastern food store and probably some totally new culinary experiences to be had.  And I think I want to have daily activities for all of Holy Week, but I need to fill in some gaps. The primary is also singing in the Easter program, but I need to correct Loxley’s version of ‘Gethsemane’ before then.  It’s pretty mercenary at this point: 

“Get some money.

Jesus loves me

So He went willingly

To get some money.”

At least she knows the way to her own heart lol.  She’s a gifts person.

Happy Friday!

-KK