{photos by Alisia Thompson Photography inside The Sarasota Modern}

I’m a 2 on the enneagram (will I ever stop blabbing on about this?!), and that means I truly enjoying giving.  But sometimes that can backfire, I’ve spread myself a bit too thin, and that’s when I’m definitely at my worst.  To combat this, I have become better at recognizing when I need to take care of myself a little more, or when I need to say no to signing away my time when every fiber of my being wants to volunteer.  Here are a few things that are “self-care” to me, but they may be totally different for you.  Getting a manicure literally is torture to me, ha.  It’s just not relaxing, I don’t love the smell of nail places, etc.  I don’t care a ton how my nails look either beyond being clean.  But for you that may be essential for making you feel like you, and it may be really enjoyable.  So I hope after reading my little self-care things, you’ll make your own list.  And draw on that when you’re feeling a little depleted.

•  A good start to my morning.  Which means waking up before my kids if I know it’s an early day, so I can get do what needs to get done, without being stressed.  I have become one of those celery juice junkies – and that’s what I do first thing in the morning.  I use the breville compact juicer, and it makes juicing way less annoying than my clunky juicer.  I wait 15 minutes after drinking about 16 ounces, and then have my coffee.  Coffee with collagen peptides (I buy the thrive brand) and my nutpod.  While I am drinking coffee I love to get in a quick devotional.  New Morning Mercies and Lord bless my child.  And then it’s off to do all the things to get them off to school (have food for them, lay out their clothes, remind them to eat breakfast ten times, pack lunches, etc) …  A little time to myself makes me a less grumpy mom.
• I have become that crazy person about skincare.  While I love a good facial (by Elizabeth!)  I also love to mask at home.  People think you need a bath (and that is DELIGHTFUL) to take that time.  But 99% of the time, I am multitasking and masking.  When my skin is hydrated and my undereyes are less puffy, I feel like I need a little less make up, or just go without all together.  My favorite under eye masks are these cheapie gold ones from Amazon.  I’ve definitely worn them under my sunglasses in the car.  And usually while I’m writing a post, like right now, I have on some sort of mask.  Once a week I love the Babyfacial, and in between every few days I love the fresh masks.
• Writing here!  This space really is so cathartic to me, and connecting with all of you is self-care for me.  I think doing something for yourself, whatever that is, is really important.
• Spending time outside.  Whether it’s a walk down the street, or a visit to the beach- I always feel so renewed.  It’s easy to just keep your head down, and tackle to do lists, but for me, being outdoors always has a way of realigning what matters to me.
• Reflexology.  I actually don’t love massages typically, but a chair massage and a foot massage?  I am alllll over that.  I leave a new woman.
• Dinners with my husband!  We’re in a different season where JB is studying every free chance he gets (he takes his CFP in march) … as a back story he’s been studying nearly every morning at 5 am for a couple years now, and now he’s cramming alllll he learned in.  So whether it’s dinner at home with the kids, or dinner out just us, it’s a really welcomed time where we can chat about everything.
• A clean house.  I’m not what you call a neat freak but I cannot do dirty dishes, and really when my house is clean it’s easier to say “oh sure!  come on by for coffee!” to my friends.  It’s also easier for me to tackle my other to-do’s.
• There aren’t many people I hop on the phone with, but I always feel like a new person when I talk to my gf who lives in Panama.  We usually talk once a week and I generally laugh until I cry.  Our convos are definitely in the judgement free zone… and everyone needs that.
• I do at least one load of laundry every morning, and rarely is my laundry ever really out of control.
• Eating well.  generally when I’m in a stressful point in my life, I am all let’s get burgers and fries… but it backfires.  Eating well and that means planning out our meals for the week, helps me so so much.  I just feel so much better and more well equipped for my family.
• Time with girlfriends in general.  Even if it’s just a quick coffee.  As someone who is introverted, it’s still Connecting and chatting about everything is the best.
• Having a little ritual for bedtime.  I try to always get in a bath before bed, and then tea time after.  I love the snooze sleepy tea pigs.
• I try to make the mundane tasks like cleaning and organizing a little less boring with blasting good music (leon bridges!)/a podcast/ an audible, and my favorite candle burning.

I would love to know more ways you take care of yourself!  Self-care is definitely one of the greatest things we can do for ourselves, so we can be at our best for our families and everyone else we encounter (: