“Remember to secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others with theirs.”
That’s the safety protocol on any flight you take. Let’s face it, you aren’t much help in an emergency if you haven’t taken care of yourself first. The same thing applies to parenting. Sure you want your kids to eat healthy, sleep well and exercise, but what about you? Are you taking care of mom?
For a while, I haven’t been taking care of myself. I have just been keeping my head above water. “Just keep swimming” has been my motto. And there are times in our lives when that is all you can do. Seriously. But for those other times, like when I find myself glued to Facebook or watching movies at night— I need to wake up and realize what’s important. And I haven’t, honestly. I’ve escaped to Hollywood or to my friend’s lives on Facebook. Not my own life.
Not anymore. I have taken a break from Facebook and started to run. Started to eat better and started to feel better. I am taking care of myself. And guess what? It feels great! I forgot how good it feels, honestly. I have energy, I feel strong, beautiful and excited to start each day. But I couldn’t do it alone. I needed a person. Someone to push me and motivate me.
A Running Buddy
That’s where Autumn comes into the picture. We met cheering for our 4-year old sons at t-ball and found common ground: our son’s have the same name, play t-ball together, consider Starbucks a sanity saver and we both like to run. Only think was, she was actually doing it though… and I was just thinking about it.
I was ready for that change. So we decided to go for a run together and it was hard— my lungs burned and my legs felt heavy. I left the talking to her while I huffed and puffed along the trail. Few months later, we still run together and take turns talking. I like to say: “we run slow but talk fast.” That’s how it works for us. It’s our outlet in more than one way.
We entered a race
As the distance increased, we finally decided to enter a race. It was a 3.6 mile off-road adventure— dirt trails, treading across rivers, jumping through tires and hurdling over obstacles. It was a run that I needed to do to remind myself who I am. Yes, I’m a caring, involved, and creative mom. But I am also a really strong, determined, passionate woman. I just kinda forgot that about me this past year.
So Autumn and I went to my least favorite store on Earth and bought some cheap shoes to wear for the mud/water/crazy run. I didn’t want to ruin my running shoes, but I would happily ruin $7 Wal-mart shoes. So we rocked our hideous shoes and ran a fun race together. Ryan and the kids cheered for us along the course and it was awesome! Funny how I did this for me, but afterwards I realized I was also doing something for my family. They enjoyed watching me do something I love!
The start line of the race. We were going so fast that Ryan missed us in the frame.
That’s Autumn and I in the middle there (talking of course)— enjoying the beautiful Florida weather before heading out to the ocean to tread through 4 feet of water.
We had to run out to the buoy and come back around… in our running shoes (see why we opted for $7 running shoes?).
Taking Care of Mom ideas:
Have you forgotten what you like to do? Maybe it’s time you found something to help you come alive as a woman again! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Run a 5k race
- Take yoga classes
- Join a reading group
- Sign up for cooking classes
- Join a knitting club
- Organize a mom’s weekend for you and some friends
This made me all teary eyed! I just took up running (something I’ve wanted to do sense you and I walked the streets of Tuluca Lake 4 years ago- seriously you inspired me then… i could go on and on about that) and it feels great! After a long day of two kids climbing all over me I needed this escape. So, once my husband gets home, for 25 min I run 2 miles and hike up and down bleachers at the high school down the street. There is something SO freeing about running. No one is hanging on me. The wind through my hair. Pandora station on Foster the People. The funny thing is my 4 year old wants to go with me. Someday, my love, someday, but for now this is mommy time.
Yes! That is exactly what I am talking about. So happy you are able to have this mommy time too. The bleachers sounds like a lot of fun, I might have to hunt some down out here in Florida and add that to my routine. Here’s to mommy time!
Thanks Jen, for the amazing blog!! Thanks Rachelle for sharing it with me!! It’s all so true!! My “me time” is what makes me a better mom.
You said it perfectly! Glad you found our website…please keep visiting and share it with your others! And if you ever have something you feel you want to share, please email us! We love guest posts! xoxox
This made me cry (for good reasons)!
So very proud of you – who you are, the way you express yourself, the way you are intentional about living life to the fullest. You and God and your family are on an incredible journey, and I for one love to watch – and cheer you on. You go, my friend!!!
P.S. I just saw one of those challenge 5Ks advertised, I think in Temecula in October maybe, and I kind of wanted to try it – you have POSSIBLY inspired me to try it
Lori— You are so awesome!!! Can I be just like you when I grow up?! Sky diving, race car driving, traveling to Europe …and all the while loving and supporting your awesome kids. Any compliment from you means a LOT to me and it made me cry. Thank you, Lori.
I am sure you are gonna do awesome in the race and have a great time. Can’t wait to see your pics from it! Love&Hugs from Florida.
What a great encouragement! I’ve been thinking about running for months (or years if I’m honest), but I have yet to just start doing it. I’ve experienced the times before where I was just taking care of mom and it was awesome. I lost it along the way and I just need to press in and go for it. Thanks for sharing!