At 6:00 a.m., you awake and the frenzy begins. You spend a little intimate time with your hubby, jump out of bed to awaken everyone in the household, barely make yourself presentable, prepare breakfast for the family, pack lunch for your kids, tend to all school notices to stay abreast of the constant requests, check email, and frantically leave the house to get the kids to the bus stop or drop them off at school. Phew! You sigh a bit to show your relief. Off to the office you go to spend your day generating an income.
It does not stop. After business hours, the mad dash continues. You pick up each child from school and take them to their respective sports and activities, head to the supermarket for the items missing for dinner, go home to prepare dinner, return to pick up your children, feed them, check homework, make them retire for the night just to start it all over again in a few hours.
The only down time you may have had was indulging in a cup of coffee while you were on your way to work. This is your daily routine. It is real and, on many days, it is unappealing. Can you relate? Do you have many days that resemble this?
You primarily tend to everyone's needs but your own. You make sure that your husband and children are well taken care of; however, the most important person is neglected. You. Priorities #1 and #2 (your children) are always cared for and priority #3 (your hubby) is somewhat happy. He is probably not as happy as he would like to be, but he is in a better place than you. You become priority #4. You have determined this. You have ensured that everyone in your household is in a good place, but you are unfulfilled because you are always the last priority. You have also trained your family to treat you this way. They have grown accustom to placing their needs above yours. This does not suggest that there isn't a lot of love in your household. There can be love, without respect for your peace of mind.
Quite a while ago, I made the conscious decision to become priority #1. I realized that I was at my best and able to give so much more to my family when I made self care important. This does not mean that I become a selfish person and sacrifice each of my family member's needs. Instead, it means that I will no longer forego the things that make me feel great and the things that make me whole. If visiting the hair and nail salon regularly to ensure that I look my best means that one of my children is unable to hang out with their friends, so be it. If working out on a Saturday morning means that my family needs to prepare breakfast for themselves, so be it. If the household budget needs to include a line item for fashion-related items that will build my confidence and make me feel fabulous, so be it. I am happy with me!
What things will you change to raise your priority level?
Be a priority,
Bri
@MakeoverMommy
https://www.facebook.com/SuburbanMommyMakeover
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Did You Forget that He Still Checks You Out During the Winter?
In my daily travels, I am amazed at how many women focus less on their appearance when the winter months arrive. I don't get it. Shouldn't you want to look good all of the time? When you look better, you feel better. I know I do. I am not suggesting that you wear heels every day, although they do make you look sexier. Instead, adorn fashions that suit your personality and your lifestyle and make self-care a priority.
A few friends inspired this blog post. My friends span the gamut -- from fashionistas to beauty gurus to those who just don't give a shit. There is one who is so afraid to be seen without makeup that she won't even retrieve mail from the mailbox without looking flawless. Another friend applies makeup every morning before she leaves the bathroom. Her husband and children don't see her without her new face. Now, this is an extreme job and is definitely not for everyone, but I must say that it is admirable. These women always make a concerted effort to look fabulous. They primarily do it for themselves, but they also view it as important to keep their men interested and happy. Based on their comments, it is working.
Now, here is the main issue. The women who feel that they only need to care about themselves during the spring and summer months. From friends and acquaintances, I have heard the following comments:
Really? I am certain that they represent many women who share the same sentiment. Why do some women care less about their appearances when the cold weather comes knocking? I don't understand this line of thinking. You pay close attention to your fashion and beauty regimens when the weather is warm, when you can get the attention of others and when you can be more impressive to others. But, for the one who sees you daily, for the one who you lay next to every night, for the one with whom you are intimate, for the one whose affections you seek, you don't care enough to look good every day. WTF??
I wonder what their husbands think. I know I want and need ongoing attention from my husband. If these women are lucky, their husbands are still checking them out. Why not strive to maintain his interest every single day. Keep him focused (on you)!
As a working mom of two, I understand the challenge of making self-care a priority, especially given that most of us make family the priority. However, I have found that I am the happiest when I take care of myself to look and feel my best. Oh yeah, I need to mention that I am also a wife who wants to keep her man enticed and interested. We have been married for 19 years and I do what I can to keep his interest. Trust me, he reaps the benefits.
Keep it sexy,
Bri
@MakeoverMommy
https://www.facebook.com/SuburbanMommyMakeover
A few friends inspired this blog post. My friends span the gamut -- from fashionistas to beauty gurus to those who just don't give a shit. There is one who is so afraid to be seen without makeup that she won't even retrieve mail from the mailbox without looking flawless. Another friend applies makeup every morning before she leaves the bathroom. Her husband and children don't see her without her new face. Now, this is an extreme job and is definitely not for everyone, but I must say that it is admirable. These women always make a concerted effort to look fabulous. They primarily do it for themselves, but they also view it as important to keep their men interested and happy. Based on their comments, it is working. |
| Hi Honey, how was your day? |
- I don't care until March.
- I don't waste time getting pedicures until the spring.
Really? I am certain that they represent many women who share the same sentiment. Why do some women care less about their appearances when the cold weather comes knocking? I don't understand this line of thinking. You pay close attention to your fashion and beauty regimens when the weather is warm, when you can get the attention of others and when you can be more impressive to others. But, for the one who sees you daily, for the one who you lay next to every night, for the one with whom you are intimate, for the one whose affections you seek, you don't care enough to look good every day. WTF??
I wonder what their husbands think. I know I want and need ongoing attention from my husband. If these women are lucky, their husbands are still checking them out. Why not strive to maintain his interest every single day. Keep him focused (on you)!
As a working mom of two, I understand the challenge of making self-care a priority, especially given that most of us make family the priority. However, I have found that I am the happiest when I take care of myself to look and feel my best. Oh yeah, I need to mention that I am also a wife who wants to keep her man enticed and interested. We have been married for 19 years and I do what I can to keep his interest. Trust me, he reaps the benefits.
Keep it sexy,
Bri
@MakeoverMommy
https://www.facebook.com/SuburbanMommyMakeover
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