We are all fighting a battle.
And yes, I mean all of us.
But for the purpose of this writing, I mean moms.
All moms are fighting a battle.
Some of us are fighting battles that can be seen by those around us. Others of us are fighting battles unseen.
But we are all fighting a battle.
We fight until pure and extreme exhaustion. We fight silently. We fight loudly.
We are all fighting a battle.
My battle is not better or worse, less important or more important than yours. Yours is neither better nor worse, nor more nor less important than mine. To each of us, our battles are our reality.
We are all fighting a battle.
We criticize our battles. We analyze how we handle our battle, and then we criticize some more.
We are all fighting a battle.
Battles with children, battles with spouses, battles with mothers, battles with mothers-in-laws. The hardest, most draining, most damaging battle we encounter; the battle with ourselves.
So, my dear friends. My dear, sweet, strong, courageous mom friends:
Be gentle with yourself.
Your battle is hard. Your battle is challenging. Your battle is not permanent.
Be gentle with yourself.
When you feel as though no energy remains to fight.
Be gentle with yourself.
When it seems as though you’re fighting your battle alone.
Be gentle with yourself.
When you feel numb, paralyzed, experience the void of emotion.
Be gentle with yourself.
When you can’t explain to others the challenge, the struggle, the pain. When you can’t put the battle into words for anyone, even for yourself.
Be gentle with yourself.
Drink a full glass of water. Rest. Walk. Lean on others.
But when you can’t; when you can’t find the energy, the reason, to drink a glass of water. To rest. To walk. To lean on others.
Be gentle with yourself.
Leave the laundry. Ignore the dishes. Let them have extra screen time. Let that annoying thing your spouse did (or didn’t do) slide.
But when you can’t; when you can’t find the desire, the strength, to leave the laundry. To ignore the dishes. To give them extra screen time. To not be annoyed.
Be gentle with yourself.
When you haven’t done a single thing on your to-do list. When you’ve barely managed to get out of bed. When your head fills with “should have’s.”
Be gentle with yourself.
For each of us is fighting a battle. We may offer an ear, a hug, our love, our gentleness to others.
Especially to our mom friends. My goodness do we break our backs to lift up those around us. To support moms. To encourage moms. To take care of moms.
But rarely do we offer any of that to ourselves.
Be gentle with yourself.
For when we lack the ability to be gentle with ourselves, our souls harden.
Be gentle with yourself.
Don’t focus on the coming week or even this full day. Just this moment. This moment only.
Be gentle with yourself.
And tomorrow, when your battle continues, when your demon arises, may you remember.
Be gentle with yourself.
Be gentle with yourself, mama.
Use the link to find more ideas on self-care.
