Yesterday was the start of my online class that I mentioned in a previous post. I am excited. I’ve enjoyed getting to know some of the other classmates and have enjoyed seeing the broad range of talent and creativity out there.
In the process of going through the class I’m going to be having a variety of thoughts (I already have after the first day) and am needing a place to collect some of them and share with the rest of the class members. What better place than this blog right. It’s the place to record my thoughts on being an artist, and this class is hopefully going to get me going in a direction on my personal art.
I have had quite a few thoughts and still need time to sit down and really think about the answers to some of the questions she asked, but one thing really hit hard yesterday after listening to her podcast. At the very beginning she just made the quick comment to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves. Making sure we are getting enough water, sleep, time to ourselves, etc. I agreed with her and didn’t think much about it until later after the podcast when I was trying to think about some of my answers to her questions.
At that moment, I realized I couldn’t concentrate and I was tired. (We got to bed late and then a 1 yr old decided after an entire year of being an incredible sleeper that she wasn’t going to do it that night.) After thinking how tired I was, how bad my back killed, and my lack of desire to do anything I started getting pounded in the head again with the thoughts of how important it is to take care of this physical body. I really think we don’t put the importance on it like we should. I know that it’s important and I try a little, but really I just sometimes stay up way too late, I don’t eat the greatest foods, I have too much sugar, I don’t always get exercise in, I don’t drink enough water, I don’t get outside in the sun enough etc.I really think our bodies get quite beat up and abused being mothers, especially mothers of little children. I’ve been going through this lesson over and over again this last year it seems. I don’t know why it hasn’t sunk in yet. 
photo by: Mario Diogo
But after the miscarriage a little while ago I have realized that I have about 4 months or so to really concentrate on me. Really concentrating on taking care of this physical body. At the time I was thinking I really need to start eating better and healthier. My body felt so much better when I got out of the hospital and was drinking lots of water, and eating only good healthy food. Then I start getting better and you start eating a bit more junk and start drinking less water and before you know it… you don’t feel that great anymore.
But after yesterday I started realizing that this taking care of myself extends far beyond just eating good and exercising to loose weight. It means going to bed early. It means actually getting enough sleep, it means not taking on more than I need to -creating stress I don’t need. I know there is a huge connection between how well I am taking care of my body and how well I am doing spiritually. A HUGE connection. And yesterday I realized even more so how much of a connection there is between how I am feeling physically and spiritually to how well my creative side is doing. It affects whether or not I have creative ideas, if I’m able to execute them, if I feel inspired, if I’m able to concentrate, etc. It’s no wonder that lately I’m lacking that…. my body is lacking… which means I’m falling asleep during prayer and scripture study which means my spirit is lacking… which means my creativity is lacking…
This has got to change. It really does. It is probably one of the hardest things for me to change right now, but it has got to. I can’t expect to be where I want spiritually or creatively if I’m not first making sure this body is being well taken care of. So the goal… start changing how I’m abusing this body…. and expect to see great things happen.
I have additional thoughts on this class as well, and you’ll see them here sometime soon. Until then I need some water…. a lot of it.
8 comments:
I am feeling the same way right now. I've recognized this for the last few months, but it is so hard to actually DO it. Let me know if you have some pointers because I really need them!
Thank you so much for your comment at my blog! I am so happy to have found your blog and to have read this entry. It is exactly, and I mean EXACTLY, what I felt when I listened to Marisa's podcast yesterday. My life is a mess at the moment, with a 3 month old, a 2½ year old and being a full time university student... there's no time for creativity, let alone time for sleeping and eating well...
I hope we'll both learn a lot from the Fishbowl and that we can support each others into treating ourselves better. Yay for us! :)
Shalae-
I am a fellow fishie and also a mom. I totally understand. It is very hard to take good care of yourself when you are so busy taking care of others. I admit I am not always the best at it either. But I have realized the same things. If I don't do the things I need to then I will suffer for it. Best of luck on your journey.
-Dana
Dear Shalae, this is such a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing and being open with us. :) Sometimes we forget to care for ourselves and this is such a good reminder to all of us. I hope you get some good rest soon. Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you. See you in class. :)
That was a great post. I've been having similar thoughts for months. One thing that has helped me eat better is I make healthy muffins that I wrap individually and freeze so I can pull one out in the morning and have something quick but healthy. For lunch I do homemade frozen veggie burritos that I stick in the microwave for 5 minutes. Having quick, healthy things to eat for meals helps me not snack so much. That's one idea! I look forward to hearing more of your ideas.
Hi Shalae, I'm in the fish bowl with you. Your points are so valid and I remember so well those sleepless nights. You are right about everything being interconnected and you will feel so much better as you start to nurture yourself. Aside from yourself, your family will be the direct benefit. When you're feeling good, everybodies feeling good. I look forward to this great journey with you. Have a great weekend.
I can't tell you enough how true this is. I had four (under 4) all very close in age and it was crazy some days. I didn't look after myself as much as I should have. I kept trying. I had good intentions that's for sure. 20 yrs on, I'm now working really hard on it. And I know that if I'd done it properly when my kids were little I wouldn't be struggling now to lose weight, get healthy. I really shouldn't have waited until they left home!
And yes, it's not just about losing weight. It's all round health. Good on you Shalae! It's a good time to make those efforts now. It'll pay off in the long run! x
beautiful post Shalae. I will definitely come back to this topic again in class ~ as I've just recently taken even further steps in caring for myself and committing to a life that supports time for me and all that I want to do in this world. so happy to have you in class!
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