What Happens When Mom Doesn’t Take Care of Herself

As a mom we often get caught up in making sure everything gets done (dishes, laundry, work stuff, to-do lists, etc) and we end up neglecting ourselves. I did this a week ago and ended up feeling so sick that I was nervous I had COVID (getting sick during a pandemic can be scary)! I started to have symptoms (sore throat, cough, lower back pain) that could have meant I had COVID, so I went and got a rapid test that night and it came back in a few hours and it was negative (thank g-d). I still wasn’t convinced so the next morning my husband and I got PCR tests and we knew less than 24 hrs later that we were negative. I realize that I might sound like I am overreacting, but during a pandemic you just never know so I had to make sure I wasn’t spreading it to my parents or in-laws (the only people we see without masks on). After two negative tests I realize that it wasn’t COVID, but that I had run myself down so much that I was starting to get sick!

This is your reminder to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! I didn’t and ended up quarantined in my room for almost 36 hrs until I knew for sure that I didn’t have COVID. It was so hard not being able to help my husband with our daughter or help with anything around the house. This was also my first time “away” from M and it was extremely difficult (when I wasn’t sleeping, I was FaceTiming them). While I was quarantined in my bedroom I got a lot of sleep and it helped so much that I was already feeling better after one night! This is all to say, you are no good to anyone including yourself if you don’t take care of yourself! 

Today I sat on the couch for an hour watching Schitt’s Creek (yes, I just started this series and realize how behind I am!) while M napped and then realized I should done the dishes, bottles, and taken a shower during this nap. I was so mad at myself for sitting on the couch watching TV and not doing the things I “should” have been doing, only to realize that I NEEDED that down time for myself! 

After realizing that I need to do a better job of managing my to-do list and taking care of myself, I am making small changes that I hope will allow me to get done what I feel needs to get done, but also allowing myself some “me time”! Right now my daughter still naps 3 times a day, so I will spend one of those naps not washing dishes or bottles or completing my to-do list, rather I will spend it doing something for me, whether that means a shower without an audience or sitting on the couch watching tv.  

So I ask you, “What are you going to do for yourself today?” Share with me below!