#existinphotos ~ self care

When Jane and Katie were small, I used to take every Thursday night off.  As soon as Ian got home from work, I'd leave and do something by myself.  Something not related to being a wife and mother, but something just for me.  I'd go swimming, or shopping (for me!) or sit in a coffee shop and read, or just wander around seeing what I could see.  That one evening a week was all I needed to feel like I was still me.

Fast forward a few years, and things got crazy.  I've been pregnant and/or nursing a baby for  over three years.  I have big girls with their own schedules.  Taking the time for myself got lost in the busyness.  In a moment of deep self reflection (and some tears), I realized that I had lost myself in motherhood.  Something had to be done.

Thank goodness for such a kind understanding husband.  I kickstarted my "Return to Being Missy" with a weekend away.  I got a hotel downtown.  By myself.  Ahhhh.   Magical.   I reveled in the quiet.  I ate what I wanted to eat.  I thought about things I wanted to think about.  I had about six showers...because I could.  I went to see a movie, and it wasn't animated!  

Self care inside motherhood is so very important.  I hope to teach my girls that it's good and healthy and necessary to take time for themselves.  I took these photos to remind myself of that.  And hopefully in years to come, if my girls become mothers, they'll look at them and see me taking care of myself so that I could take better care of them.