This summer has been about rest. It’s been about slowing down and making time for me. I did not make my health a priority earlier this year and I felt the toll. Winter was long and my jeans got a tad bit too tight and my mood was anything but sunny. The last few months I have been taking time to care for myself and it feels good. I must remember to continue this trend when summer ends and winter finds its way to Oklahoma again.
Self-care is important for all moms, but especially moms of children who have special needs.
Here’s five things you’ll find me doing this summer…
Guarding Our Mornings
This summer has been exactly what we’ve needed to finally find our homeschool groove. Yep, it took almost a year to find it. The thing that’s made all the difference in the world – ADHD medication and not scheduling therapy appointments first thing in the morning.
This summer we have taken a much needed break from therapy. We do speech and OT on Wednesday mornings, which leaves us with four days where we can wake up and not be rushed. We stay home and get our school work done and it’s been glorious! I am going to continue to guard our mornings when summer ends and we are back to the grind.
Wearing My Hair Up
I’ve been growing my hair out for months! It’s still not as long as I would like for it to be, but it’s finally long enough for me to wear curly or in a pony tail. And y’all, I finally have a pretty decent one. I am taking full advantage of this. I love not having to wash my hair every day. Washing and drying long hair is for the birds. Hello ponytail!
Completing LIIFT 4
I am super pumped to say I am two weeks away from completing an 8-week workout program that I LOVE!!!!! Umm…who am I? I do not like working out. I’m not sure I have ever completed an entire workout program. I don’t think I have ever loved a workout program. LIIFT 4 has been such a great fit for me. It’s a lot of lifting, which I really love with short bursts of cardio. Short bursts are good; a lot of cardio is bad! HA!!!
I am also making it a goal to get at least 10,000 steps a day, but I’ve had a few days where I’ve knocked it out of the park with 15,000 or more. I’m really trying to make my health a priority this summer. Not to get to a certain number on the scale, but to be healthy – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Protecting My Skin From the Summer Sun
Up until 2 years ago, I never took care of my skin. I went to bed with my makeup on. My skincare regimen consisted of Noxema. I never wore sunscreen on my face. Then I finally broke down and tried Rodan + Fields. It has been a game changer.
I am such a huge believer in these products! My skin looks better at 37 than it did at 27. I can go makeup free without a worry in the world! I have lashes for the first time in my life!
It took me a long time to spend the money on my skin, but I am so glad I finally invested in it!
Eating Ice-cream for Dinner
Okay, so I’ve technically only done this once, but when it’s hovering close to 100 degrees and the heat index is even higher, you give yourself permission to eat ice cream for dinner. It might happen a few more times before summers end.
