It Matters

It matters.

10 mins.

Three.

7 freaking seconds to close the door behind you and be by yourself to breath, look out the window, yell into a pillow, or honestly just go to the bathroom & sit in there awhile. . . it matters.

It matters.

It’s been awhile. I’ve missed you. And I’ve missed Me.

Here’s what hit me big lately.

Time for your Self matters. I separate “your Self” like that on purpose. Because it reminds me to think of Me. . .my true self. . . that version of me that feels strong and light and grounded and purposeful and powerful and. . .honestly, sometimes. . . just capable.

Because parenting, motherhood, and the early days post-birth with little ones has shaken me. There are days where I honestly feel like I just pretty much stink at everything.

And I tell myself over and over that I don’t have time to do yoga or meditate or journal, because there’s just so much to do. I really haven’t done much self-care at all these last few months. But a few things have gotten me back into it. Even if it’s sometimes just seven seconds. Seven seconds to step away and look out the window and breath and create some space for myself. I’m trying to stop telling myself that it doesn’t matter if I get to do those things. Because, it does. And the seven seconds I took yesterday, grew into twenty minutes today. Because once I get there, I realize how bad I need it. But getting there, taking that literal first step, is the hardest part.

It doesn’t make me a better Mom, friend, partner or person to sacrifice my Me-time . . . which ultimately translates into my mental health. It makes me a better Mom when I take time and space for my practices.

And, I’m pretty sure this applies to people who are not Moms, too.

It’s funny how many times I forget. . . and then come back to this realization.

I fall out of my healthy habits every now and then, because I guess I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t. I’ve learned that that’s just how it goes. Sometimes, life hits you with things and it crumbles you. I have to return to the mud to remember what matters and to discover what’s really worth cultivating again in my life. So, when I return, something new comes with me. I like to think this is how we evolve collectively as a species.

It feels good to be back for now. And by “for now” I mean today. Because I’m not putting any pressure or expectations on myself. But I’m writing about it publicly in hopes that it will remind me just how much it matters.

This morning I took a shower. Put serum on my face. Rubbed essential oils onto my chest and wrists. Rolled out my yoga mat. Laid out an inspiring altar of pieces that make me feel good. Lit a candle. Put on some good tunes. Sat. Twisted. Breathed. And moved my body in a way that made me feel more open, strong, grounded and powerful. I even took out my journal and my watercolor paints and doodled a little creation for about 90 seconds. It’s no grand work of art, but I’ve found it stirs my creativity and lightheartedness and generates ideas in a way that gets me excited for the day ahead.

And, wow. It mattered.

So much.

I have started so many stories to share with you this past month. I want to tell you about how the birth of my second sweet baby was both joy & grief. I want to ask you if you know what it means to hold space. I want to tell you about an upcoming Art Show that I’m participating in. And I want to ask you if you will come get my baby to sleep.

But, for now, I just wanted to remind you: if you’re a new Mom, or a growing Mom, or a Mom’s friend, or a person, it matters that you go take a few moments for You today if you haven’t yet. And also, stop asking someone for permission to do it. Just say out loud to your self or your family or the air around you that feels like it’s closing in on you, I’m going to take a few minutes for Me because it matters.

I hope you and your loved ones are safe + healthy + happy.

I can’t wait to start hanging more with new Mom- friends and baby-friends and people who share my passions. Preferably in the woods or at cool coffee shops or somewhere we can be barefoot.

And I look forward to releasing these stories stirring inside me, soon.

with love & breathing room. . .

.m.

jaime