#5Things4Me – week 3

Have your kids started school yet? I survived the first week. More importantly, my son survived the first week. He gets minor anxieties. I could tell he was stressing about the first day as it approached. His laugh would sound just a little too high, and it felt forced. He kept talking about school, and other scenarios he didn’t always like – like when daddy is away at work for a long time – in a heavily concentrated positive  manner. He’s pumping himself up. Trying to reassure himself. And so, I would talk with him, encourage his positive thoughts, and be as supportive and comforting as I could. Come Monday morning, though, it got the best of him.

He was scared. He didn’t want to go to school and meet new kids, and he didn’t want to leave me. Or rather, the safe comfort of his home. So, I let him in on a little secret.
“Honey, mommy gets scared. It’s true. When I have to go somewhere new, or do something new, I get scared. I feel uncomfortable and I don’t want to go. I’d rather stay home where I feel safe and am with the people I love and who love me back. But you know what? I also know what it means to be brave. Remember what being brave is? It means we are going to be stronger than what it is we are afraid of, and give it a try anyway. Because you know what? You just might like it. And be really great.” – That helped. Along with a Starburst, or rather ‘brave candy’ that helps bring out the bravery in us. Anyway, my point is that I heavily concentrated on making my son feel safe, and comfortable, and brave. And throughout the rest of the week I was vigilant in looking for cues of his fears and making sure he felt secure and supported. So much so that, as you can guess, I forgot about me. I don’t think I started doing anything on my #5things4me list until late Wednesday or Thursday. However, I did manage to get some reading in, some girly chat time, and Saturday evening I walked around Lake Oneal for 3.17 miles by myself. So, 3 out of 5 isn’t bad. Did I expect to always be able to check off every single item on my list every single week? No. But I love having goals and keeping them in mind, and trying to work at them. When I do take the 10 or 20 minutes, or more, out for me I honestly feel refreshed afterward. Good. You know, more gathered.

So this week, determined to get to the things I failed to get to last week, I’m adding a couple of the same items from the week before.

Here’s my list of 5:

1. YOGA! I mean, seriously. This will be the 3rd week yoga has been on my list. Third time is a charm, right?
2. Coffee before sunrise, before the kids get up, and maybe even before the husband gets up. Just me and my cup o’joe. I’m not a fan of getting up early, at. all., but I do love starting my day with a peaceful morning.
3. Take a hot detox bath, and soak for no less than 40 minutes. hmmmm, 40 minutes may be asking a bit much….
4. Exercise no less than 5 days this week. I desperately need to get in a good workout groove.
5. Work on my About Page. Yes, I actually have a bloggy to do. It’s definitely something for me, and something I easily put off. It’s not completely bad the way it is now, but I’ve been meaning to revamp it for… forever.

Clearly, between yoga and exercise, fitness is a priority this week.
What are you doing for yourself this week? I really hope that you’ll join me, and pledge to do 5 things for you. Doing a little something nice for yourself really goes a long way. So think of 5 (simple) things to do for yourself this week, and then come back and link up your post! Remember, sharing is caring – please try and make it to some of the other bloggers’ posts who have linked up before or after you.


I’d love to get some ideas from you and have them here in the comments to share with others. What is one of the things you’re pledging to do for yourself this week?