I started seeing a counselor recently.

At my last appointment she told me some things that helped me. A lot. So I thought I would share them.

Funny thing about it though, is that I already knew most of what she said.

Did I still need to hear it though? YES. I did. Which is why I think that maybe, even if you already know these things, you might need to hear them again too.

She said things to me like, I shouldn’t feel guilty for taking care of myself. She said that it helps my family when I am healthier and better rested. We talked about how knowing that it helps my family when my needs are met should help me with the guilt that I feel when I do things that I need to do to take care of myself…

It was a little frustrating to sit there and listen to her, because I already knew ALL of those things. I have preached those things. I have been all over social media saying those things. And yet, I still needed to hear these things said to me. Why?

Because I didn’t even realize I wasn’t doing them.

I workout most days. I thought that meant I was doing pretty well with taking care of myself. Turns out, I was WAY off.

Talking to my counselor helped me to break down what I am really needing right now.

She helped me realize what is triggering my irritability, anxiety, impatience, inability to handle what is happening around me. I’ve only been to her a few times now so I am far from figuring out all of the things, but I am so thankful I made that first appointment. I am so thankful that I went back after I got irritated with the fact that she broke my walls down in that first appointment… because I liked my walls. They kept me hidden, or so I thought. And I had become quite comfortable inside of them.

Momma, listen to me…

You are not a machine. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.

You. Are. Not. A. Machine.

I sometimes wish I was, if I’m being honest. I wish I could do, and go, and be all of the things, all of the time. I don’t want to need to rest, or stop what I’m doing to eat. I often snarf my food like I’m being timed, because there is never “enough” time to get all of the things done. And sitting still for too long makes me feel like I’m wasting time that I could use to do those things.

But sometimes, the {things} just need to wait. And it’s ok.

I’m working on giving myself permission… to get the sleep… to sit down and eat slower… to let my kids play that half hour of video games or watch that TV show so I can be alone in a quiet room and recharge. So that I can be a better me, and so they can have a more present and patient momma.

Yes, sometimes life makes us rush. But sometimes, more often than we may allow ourselves, we need to take a moment to breathe. We need to say no. Or yes. Or whatever it is we are needing to say that we’re just not saying. And maybe, like me, the thing you need to say “yes” to right now is finding a counselor. Do yourself and your family a favor and make that call.

Please hear me when I say, you matter. The mother of your child(ren) matters. And that means that your needs matter. Don’t let anybody make you feel like they don’t… including yourself. ❤️