Maybe the best way to practice self care is to care less.
About what everyone else thinks. About who likes you and who doesn’t. About how you compare to the next woman in line. About what all the other moms are doing and how they’re doing it. About everyone else’s definition of success.
About the expectations that society piles onto your shoulders. About a Pinterest worthy home or popularity. About wearing the right clothes or driving the right car. About matching furniture or coordinating outfits for your kids – about trying send the message that your life fits perfectly into a box on Instagram.
About keeping up appearances. About creating the illusion that your family is picture-perfect at all times. About the idea that your kids must forever be entertained. About the school they go to or the activities they participate in. About what people think your kids should or shouldn’t be doing. About what people think YOU should or shouldn’t be doing.
And honestly, maybe the best way to practice self-care is to care just a little bit less about yourself. There is freedom in letting go. In not getting so wrapped up in your appearance, your title, your status, your accomplishments (or lack thereof) that the pressure of it all steals your joy. Your calm.
You don’t have to live up to everyone else’s expectations. You don’t have to please everyone. Their happiness isn’t your responsibility. And frankly, you don’t have that kind of power anyway.
