2019 February Paso Robles Magazine

By Sarah Pope
Wtith the holiday frenzy
now just a speck in
the rear view, it’s time
to take ME off the backburner. It’s
time to upgrade that C25K app on
my phone and dust off those running
shoes. I admit it, I have completely
lost myself in the day-to-day shuffles
as a mom: laundry, meals, cleaning,
homework, sports, etc. Of course, I’m
always at the bottom of my to-dolist,
if I even make it on the list at all.
By the time this stuff is done, forget
it… I’m exhausted.
I know and understand that selfcare
is key for not only our own
well-being, but also for our children.
When we replenish, it allows us to
have more energy and patience. The
two key ingredients to enjoying
and surviving parenthood. It’s also
important for your kids to see you
practicing self care because you’re
modeling healthy behavior, whether
it be by exercising or simply committing
a half hour per night to your
favorite book. Sounds easy. So, why
“ Taking good care of
YOU means the people in
your life will receive the
best of you, rather than
what’s left of you.”
Carl Bryan
does it seem so impossible to do?
Having another little one, a
bit later in the game, left me in a
completely different stage of life
than most of my friends. When I
would’ve normally been out and
about for Girls Night Out, I was at
home (happily) nursing my newborn
baby boy. It was an adjustment
that I became way too comfortable
with. As moms, we tend to feel
guilty if we spend time away from
our families, but as I said earlier…
it’s the best thing we can do for everyone.
This is the year! Baby steps.
This is where I plan to start. My first
goal this year is to schedule (at least)
one uninterrupted hour with a close
friend. Go out for a drink, go out for
a bite, or a walk/hike together. It’s
about time I catch up with the ones
I miss the most.
And to help kick-off my year with
a self-care mindset, each day I WILL
start penning in 20 minutes per day,
just for me: make myself an enjoyable
drink, go for a walk, paint my
toenails, or simply sit on the couch,
put my feet up and close my eyes. It’s
time to get reacquainted with ME,
Sarah (not Mommy). Time to treat
myself with the same love and compassion
that I treat others.
26 | pasomagazine.com PASO Magazine, February 2019