When I was a young girl, I lived in a very rich town. One classmate arrived at and left school in a limo complete with chauffeur every day. Nearly all of my fellow classmates belonged to the yacht club.

And I?

Lived in a modest three bedroom brick cottage with my awesome parents and pain in the arses but I still loved them to pieces little brothers. Our Dodge truck had holes in the floor board. We used to make a game out of watching the road as we sped over it on our various journeys.

We weren’t dirt-poor but we were not over the top obscenely rich either. At least not in the financial sense.

Kids being kids, there were some pretty crappy experiences in my childhood. I was often berated for my lack of monetary associated bling. Teased and called “Corroded” as apparently that was the best they could come up with. Several afternoons found me in tears because of something a classmate said to me – and I don’t even remember what it was right now.

I learned to think pretty poorly of myself up until the 7th grade.

In the 7th grade, I found myself in a new school hundreds of miles away. It was a true blessing. I seized it and “rebranded” myself. I had friends within minutes of my first class starting. Friends who didn’t tease me or make fun of me. Friends who thought it was awesome that the “new girl” was in their class. I soaked it up.

Sure, as the years progressed and puberty sprung herself upon me, I found myself in the hot seat again. But I knew it was not me. It was the other people. It hurt, don’t get me wrong but soon I found myself wishing the people who were so very mean to me would be given a chance at a happier life because clearly, they were hurting too.

After postpartum, I had to re-learn positive self-talk all over again. I had to learn that I was not a bad mom for wanting to spend time away from my child. That formula feeding did not make me evil. That it was okay to be MY kind of mom – and unapologetically me. That I? Was a beautiful mom no matter what.

You are too.

Remember that as you do today’s challenge.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

You’re on the downhill side of the 21 day self-care challenge now! The incessant brain chatter that characterizes our thinking can lift us up–when we talk kindly to ourselves. Too often that inner voice rings with negativity. Many people grow up with a critical voice in their heads, driving them to improve by chastising when they’re deficient. Especially when stressed, you may be extremely self-critical, telling yourself: “You are so stupid! Wha … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010

I love today’s challenge!

I grew up in a hugging home. We always hugged, said I loved you, laughed, and cuddled. I am glad I grew up this way because it has given me a great appreciation for passing it onto my children and hope that they will too, pass it on to their children.

Hugs are such an essential part of the day. I get down if I don’t get my hugs and will often snag my husband in an embrace as we pass by each other in the hustle and bustle of the day. Speaking of my husband, he recently blogged about the importance of hugging over at his place.

Three hugs? I can do that.

I may even toss in a few more for extra credit!

Two weeks down, one to go of the 21 day self-care challenge! Remember those sad baby monkeys in a psych book, clinging to the towel-wrapped wire mother monkey? In landmark work by Dr. Harry Harlow, infant monkeys were deprived of warmth and contact with caretakers, clearly demonstrating the importance of physical touch to survival and emotional well-being. You’ve heard the popular 60’s slogan, “have you hugged your kids today?” We accept the crit … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010

Want to know when my favorite time of day is these days?

It is right after my husband leaves to take the girls to school.

Our son is still in bed, the dogs are still groggy, and the house is blissfully silent.

I sit on the couch, sometimes with my computer, sometimes without, and listen to the silence. Revel in it, almost.

I love this silent portion of my day because it allows me to slowly wake up and greet the day. I do not function as well on days when I am rushed out of bed and into life. I need to be able to take it slowly. Sure, I am capable of diving right in if necessary. I simply prefer not to do so.

In a moment, I will be closing my computer and turning on my Wii to do my morning Yoga. And then I intend on heating up some delicious leftover breakfast casserole which I will enjoy a la today’s challenge. (And perhaps I will do the same later with some Triple Chocolate Ice cream!)

What will YOU be enjoying today?

Back for the 21 day self-care challenge? Aren’t you proud! Like most women, you’re an expert multi-tasker, priding yourself on answering the phone, stirring the stew, juggling the baby, writing a check all at once. A toy-strewn den and sticky kitchen counters after dad’s home with two kids all day chronicles his ability to multitask. Don’t want to go there! While multi-tasking seems commendable, many of us cram too much into too little time. I sa … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010

Yoga.

It’s intimidating and scary for some. It was for me.

But then we got a Wii and I suddenly was doing this in the privacy of my own home. I LOVED it. And I turned out to be much more flexible than I thought. My aches and pains faded, my need for coffee faded (as I was doing it right after rolling out of bed in the morning), and my body grew stronger and stronger the more I practiced my yoga. On days I did my yoga, just as with sleep, I was happier, peppier, stronger, and much less short-tempered with those around me.

Yoga, in a word, is miraculous.

I strongly recommend it for anyone needing to take some time for themselves.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with the crocodile pose.

(Please tweet my hubs, @daddysdown if I don’t tweet in about 15 minutes to let him know I’ve fallen asleep in the nursery, will you? Thanks so very much!)

A pat on the back for continuing this 21 day self-care challenge! The mind-body benefits of yoga are legendary, and documented with scientific research. Regular yoga practice helps handle the stress hormones: cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Yoga decreases blood glucose levels, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and boosts immune function. Frequent yoga workouts produce more GABA, a brain chemical that reduces anxiety and depression. … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010