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Make sure to take care...

I need to work on my self-care.  I am really good at talking game with others, however when it comes to ensuring my own well being, I am not always the best.  I stay up too late, haven't found a way to fit in exercise - beyond my weekly yoga class at Fat Yoga which is awesome - just not enough and I have an ever growing afternoon Diet Coke habit, just to name a few.  Needless to say I am working on it, it's just tough.

I am currently balancing between two jobs.  One is a fulltime, benefitted job in community mental health, where I get to do some really interesting work with people who are mainly in crisis.  My second job 12 hours a week is working with naturopathic medical school students, in a student mental health clinic.  I love this as it is less crisis oriented and gives me the opportunity to build therapeutic relationships.  I also get to provide supervision to student interns who are broadening their skill set while preparing for a future career in mental health.  It keeps me engaged with students, which I love (being one too!) and it keeps me engaged with the public administration side of my brain.

The thing is working 52 hours a week outside of the home, then trying to be a good parent and supportive partner is tough.  Like many people who have to balance lives similar to mine, it is easy to focus on what we aren't doing versus where we are being successful.  I know that most days, I good at my job as a clinician, parent and partner.  I know that when I take better care of myself, I am able to be more present in each of these roles.  I know I feel better and have a healthier mindset.  So today, I slept late, lazed around the house in my jammies until near noon.  Took a long hot shower before heading in for a wonderful pedicure.  Then I hit up Trader Joe's to make sure that I had the food necessary to nourish my body this week.  Lastly I grabbed dinner out.  It was a nice reprieve since it was so hot today.  All this to say, take care of yourself.  Do what you need to do to make sure you can show up in your life.  Your self-care is just as important as everything else you do for everyone else.  Remember, it doesn't have to be big and fancy, it just has to be something that nourishes you.  

 Shiny new toes post-pedi! 
I wasn't too sure about this outfit today.  I felt a little bleh, then as I was getting ready to leave, my partner said, "I like your outfit.  The shirt looks really good with your earrings," and it put a smile on my face. 
Shirt: Torrid, Tank: Lane Bryant, Shorts: Old Navy, Shoes: The Avenue  
My earrings were by a local artist that was selling at NAYA's Holiday Bizarre in 2010. 

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