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Awareness is a word which is all too familiar to us as military spouses. We are aware of the last meal our children ate. We are aware of the family schedule for the next three weeks. Oh and we are definitely aware of the PCS process and how to complete a pre-deployment checklist. But there is one area that awareness is lost, and that is self-awareness as it relates to self-care. Our self-care routines and practices break down when we become hyper focused on the needs of others, which is easy to do.

CHALLENGE TO DIG DEEPER

You may be thinking, “Okay Tatiana, please don’t tell me how I need to go to invest in mini-shopping sprees and expensive salon trips.” I promise I will not focus this conversation purely on the superficial ideas of self-care. My hope is to challenge you to dig deeper. Recognizing the importance of self-care is an integral part of a wellness journey. However, few people consider the impact of self-care on other aspects of their lives.

LET’S GET PERSONAL FOR A MOMENT

The last three months have been a full-on transition period for my family. Between moving, a car accident, and my little one starting preschool, I have been beyond busy. Not only have I been busy, but I had also been carrying stress related to finances and some tough decisions I needed to make. While on the outside I looked  as though I had everything together, I was unraveling internally.

3 SIGNS YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED SELF-CARE IN YOUR LIFE

I internalized every deadline, bill due, and need of my child. Writing lists of tasks with due dates and mastering the art of multi-tasking  helped me successfully complete every requirement set before me. But then these things showed up:

1.     Skin breakouts

2.     Feeling tired all the time

3.     Meltdowns, of the adult variety

My skin was breaking out and I felt tired all the time. The night before my daughter started preschool, it hit me . . . “Where is my ten minutes.” While having a complete meltdown over not being able to locate a ten dollar bracelet, I realized that there were no moments for me in my calendar. Every moment of awareness had been spent focusing on a task or the needs of another person. I’d left no space for me.

It took a moment of self-awareness to realize the importance of the ten-minute break in my own life. I work with my clients to focus on what is important and to find ten-minute blocks in their schedules to dedicate to self-care.

WHAT DOES DIGGING DEEPER INTO SELF-CARE LOOK LIKE?

What is self-care you ask? For me it is:

·       Reading a chapter of the book on my nightstand

·       Stretching and meditating on the grace of God in my life

·       Singing loudly in my living room

Of course, I enjoy my salon trips and training hard. However, there are times when quiet is most appropriate.

As military spouses, we have so many people depending on us, but never forget you cannot pour from an empty cup. Being aware of where you are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually allows you to best care for yourself and those around you.

RESOURCES

Here are some ways to invite some quiet into your self-care routine:

·       The Calming Ritual of Tea

·       How to Start Your Morning On the Right Foot

·       How to Cultivate a Home Yoga Practice

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ABOUT TATIANA

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 Tatiana Mone, owner of Tatiana Mone Fitness, is a certified health coach and personal trainer with an MBA and experience working in corporate America. Tatiana works with busy, everyday women, and specializes in prenatal and postpartum wellness. Her passion is helping women develop a plan that fits their goals and lifestyles. Tatiana doesn’t believe in fad diets or extremes. The goal is sustainability.

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