This bragitude challenge is a daily test for me. Some days, like today, the test is to find a positive in what seemed like a no-win day. It’s not just any positive either. I have to find something positive about myself in a day where I’m once again out of energy, deeply fatigued, a tad pessimistic, and out of patience. Yes. I run out of patience, and I do so fairly quickly when I’m tired. Trying to find something to brag on myself about feels like a farce.
Brag
However, here’s my brag. I chose self-care today over productivity. At a time when I would usually be nose to the grindstone trying to get a video published, I instead chose to get in bed and take a nap. Of course, I didn’t actually nap, because there’s always commotion around here. But still, I chose to stay in bed a while and focus on rest and relaxation. My self-care didn’t end there either. At suppertime, I chose to not cook even though it was my night to do so.
Making these types of decisions to put self-care first is hard. In the past, I would have easily let those things mess with my mental health and lead me to feelings of failure for not pushing through and doing those things anyway.
Now, I try to not go down that road of negative self-talk. I acknowledge to myself that self-care is essential, especially since I have an auto-immune disorder. In the past, it was pushing myself constantly that led to a major health flare up. I most certainly don’t want to go there again if I can prevent it by taking care of myself.
Gratitude
Especially on days like today, I am reminded of how very grateful I am for Jessica’s Waiver funding that pays for her caregiver, Marlow, to come assist her with her self-care and activities during the day. I’m reminded of the days when I didn’t have help with Jess, and at the same time worked full-time. Those were the hardest days and the ones that led to health problems. I’m so grateful for where we are today.
Your Turn
How are you guys? Glad for the weekend? Do you have a bragitude to share for today?
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