As most moms do, I put everything & everyone ahead of myself. No, I’m not being a martyr here or attempting to make myself look like a queen. When you have 3 kids who are active and you are involved in various activities at school, sports, church…. Life just gets in the way of yourself. And that’s ok. There is nothing wrong with putting others before yourself.
However, we work hard to make sure that our families’ lives do indeed run smoothly. We are so busy being a chef/driver/tutor/laundress/peacekeeper/dog-trainer/cheerleader/supporter/friend/parent that we tend to lose ourselves in the mix. And that’s not the best thing to do for our health, our minds, or our spirits, is it?
When my youngest went to kindergarten this year, I dove head-first into work. I picked up a few new clients, I booked a few more trips than usual, I put together an aggressive editorial calendar, and even received freelance work on the side. Great, right? Not so great. I way overcommitted and I knew it. After furiously working from the time my kids left for school til they got home, running them to soccer and football practice, & feeding everyone crappy dinner at different times, I’d fall into bed exhausted. This had to stop.
So when Snap Kitchen contacted me with a proposal to take part in their #21DaysofGood Charity Challenge, I jumped on the chance. Snap Kitchen opened a few years ago in Austin and makes ready-to-go meals for all different types of diets. They use as much local produce and resources as possible and it’s a unique way to get “fast food”. Snap Kitchen is providing 21 days worth of meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, & 2 snacks) to 21 social media influencers in Austin, Dallas, & Houston. I initially signed up as a way to get myself eating healthy to lose weight. But Snap Kitchen encouraged us to think outside of the box…what would it look like for you to do #21DaysofGood in your life?
Again, this is a great opportunity to try new foods, learn how to properly fuel my body and lose weight, and my below starting goals for this challenge will reflect that.
My #21DaysforGood Goals
I want to not turn to food out of habit or boredom anymore.
I want to learn how to properly fuel my body to maintain energy all day. I would also like to learn better ways to feed my family.
I want to fit into my winter wardrobe (aka: skinny jeans) and be able to wear a swimsuit for a trip to Mexico in January.
But as I thought about this challenge, I wanted to get more out of it than being able to fit in my skinny jeans. I mean, what good is the challenge if it doesn’t last and make an impact that carries with me long after the challenge is over? And my actionable change that needed to happen was staring me right in the face.
I needed to take the time to care for myself.
And I want to influence my friends & readers to do the same. We all lead busy lives and it may seem selfish to think about putting yourself first. But if you are not happy and healthy, your family will not be happy and healthy. You are the example. You are the motivator and encourager. And if you are consistently frazzled and run-down, you will not be the best mom you can be. And your family deserves the best mom, don’t they.
So I want to encourage you to think about these three paradigms – what can you do to take time for yourself in each of these? Here’s some ideas to get you started:
Mind
- Set a “do-able” list of goals/tasks to do each day
- Take the time to pray or mediate for a few minutes each day
- Read a good book
- Take a class on something that interests you
- Learn something new each day
Body
- Participate in a Healthy Eating challenge (like what I am doing with Snap Kitchen)
- Take the time to exercise 3-5 times a week (it’s the first thing I do each day and it’s on my schedule)
- Sign up for a charity walk/race
- Take an evening stroll with your family
- Get outdoors on the weekend – hike, bike, explore!
- Schedule a facial or a massage
Spirit
- Take time to phone your mom
- Make a lunch date with a girlfriend
- Join a book club
- Plan Game Night with friends
- Volunteer at School or Church
As I embark on this challenge, I need your help. Did you notice that I said it was a Charity Challenge?? Snap Kitchen is generously awarding one Influencer with $3000 for the charity of their choice. I have chosen the Backpack Coalition. One in four children in Central Texas is at risk for going hungry. It blew me away to think that there are children in our city who go hungry over the weekend. They have nothing to eat. The Backpack Coalition sends these kids home with 7 meals – a backpack full of meals to get them through. Last year, I participated in a distribution at a local elementary school and it was amazing how grateful the children were. $3000 will go a long way my friends.
How can you help me win?
By being engaged with my challenge! Follow me on my social networks below and talk to me – like my photos and updates – send me encouragement. My hope is that I am providing encouragement to you as well and you will think about making changes in your life to take time for yourself and be the best mom you can be.
Follow along on my journey here – I’ll be posting every few days to see how my challenge to take time for me is going!
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. Let me hear from you! What are the changes you can make for yourself?
