The other day, I lost my patience listening to my husband chew his food, “Really do you have to chew so loud?” (I wanted to say you’re chewing like a cow, but I didn’t)
Then I yelled at my dog.
And when I walked out of the kitchen hitting my elbow on the cabinet, I let out a slew of words that I won’t repeat here.
Basically, everything and everyone was driving me nuts. So I decided to comfort myself with some potato chips from the pantry. Makes sense, right?
I like to call these behaviors my screaming dashboard lights. These are my warning signals telling me to pay attention, slow down, and ask myself what is it that I need.
Remember when our kids were little and how they would fall apart when they were tired or hungry?
As wise parents, we eventually learned to recognize our child’s different cries, alerting us to what they needed in that moment.
We’re the same way. Inside we aren’t all that different from when we were little. We still have needs, we’ve just gotten better at ignoring them.
Self-care is becoming our own internal wise parent.
Wouldn’t you just love someone to come in and care and comfort you?
How might a loving, wise mother care for you today?
Parenting ourselves is taking care of our mind, body and spirit – taking inasmuch as we exhaust in all our hectic doing.
In recent years I’ve gotten better at listening to myself. When these behaviors crop up, I pause (sometimes after I’ve wolfed down the bag of potato chips).
Often we’re not aware of the areas that need attention. This is where the Self-Care Inventory can be helpful.
Becoming our own wise and loving parent is a radical concept and will change our lives.
Becoming your own wise and loving parent begins with listening to the child within that whispers, “pay attention to me.”
I use this inventory coaching moms and in the groups and workshops I lead.
This inventory will provide you with a greater awareness of where you need comfort, care, and attention.
Remember self-compassion and non-judgement is an essential part of self-care, so be kind to yourself as you assess your answers.
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Great job!
Congratulations. You’re becoming more aware of how you can lovingly parent yourself.
Here are a few tips moving forward:
- Pick one or two areas from the inventory that you would like to focus on.
- Write down a few ideas and baby steps you can take this week.
- Notice how you feel when you nourish this part of yourself.
- Share with a friend what you’ve learned about yourself from taking this inventory.
- How might you support a friend in a similar way?
- Invite them to take the inventory too.
- Check in with a friend about how you’re doing.
We all need caring others to encourage and cheer us on. Accountability can take our intention to a whole new level.
Everyday make it a priority to give yourself the same comfort and attention a loving, wise mother would.
Peace and grace,
Sheryl
Growing my “guns” as my son would say. Making exercise fun and treating it like a doctors appointment. @9RoundGlenview
