It’s been 13 weeks since our baby girl Penelope was born. We have a new human in our lives, and I am most definitely a new human.

While I’m not back to working full time (and not sure I ever will be, or at least not in the near future), I am back to writing.

If I’ve learned one thing over the last three months it’s that feeding myself so that I can feed my child is paramount, both literally and metaphorically.

If I’m not well fed, well nourished, and well rested, my body literally cannot make the milk my baby survives on.

And if my spirit is sapped, my cup is empty, and my wires are fried, I can’t be a very good mama to her. (You don’t need more than a handful of exhausted days when you can barely function, let alone be present with your baby, to teach you that.)

These days, self care looks more like a 10 minute shower than a day at the spa. I’ve learned to savor every moment of self care because it’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity. {TWEET IT}

Whether we’re nurturing a child, nurturing a relationship, nurturing a business, or a nurturing a creative project, taking care of our own needs has to be at the top of our list. I’ve heard this so many times before, but never has it been more apparent than when caring for a child whose life literally depends on my ability to care for not only her but myself as well.

But self care has levels, I’ve found. (This is my take on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.)

There are the basics like water, food, and sleep. And if those aren’t covered, nothing goes well. (And sleep with a new baby in the house is all relative. I used to think I needed 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep to function. Now I feel like a new woman if I get 3 and a half!)

Then there’s hygiene. Having space to floss and do my whole skin care regimen has taken on a new level of reverence for me in these months.

Next there’s exercise and getting outside. I’ve found these to be amazing cup fillers. (Plus they can be combined with getting the baby to sleep. Triple win!)

And then there’s creativity and taking care of your spirit and soul.

Body first. Spirit and soul next.

My writing practice fills my cup. As sleep is to my physical body, writing is to my soul.

I thought I would need 6 weeks off from regular blogging when the baby came. And then I realized I needed two months. And then I realized 12 weeks was what I really needed to get those physical things dialed in (or at least happening 4-5 days out of 7).

Having the space to be with my babe, be with my husband, and be with myself during this miraculous, crazy time has been such a huge gift.

I’m beyond grateful for my blog babysitters and for you, my community, for embracing them while I took a break to nourish my family and get my footing as a new mom.

After a three month hiatus, I’m so excited to be back with you. Getting a handle on sleep, eating, and basic hygiene superseded filling my creative cup. But now I’m ready for this next level of self care…and to be hanging out with you again.

Thanks for your feedback on what you want more of. We’re incorporating your desires into our 2016 plans. Feel free to go to the link and weigh in if you haven’t yet.

No matter what stage of life you’re in, get the basics down first. Are you eating? Are you drinking water? Are you sleeping?

Almost everything feels better after you’re hydrated, well fed, and have taken a nap. {TWEET IT]

If so, are you moving your body and getting fresh air?

If you’ve got those handled, what are you doing to fill your creative cup? The cup of your soul?

Life gets really contracted when you have a baby. And the beauty of that is that there’s no more confusion about what really matters.

Body first. Soul and spirit next.

 

Over to You:

What are you doing to nourish yourself physically? What are you doing to nourish yourself creatively? I’d love to hear how you care for yourself in the comments below.

Photo Credit:  Bill Miles