dmatt that is great that you have found a healthy " just for me" thing. I was trying to think of a response to your question when I totally realized the answer is nothing I have put "myself" on hold since having kids and I'm not proud of that because I know I need to take better care of myself so I am going to make a plan for eating healthier and to start walking a few nights a week I still have alot of life left ( God willing) and why not live it instead of exisisting in it So I thank you for your question it really made me think! Hugs Dee

I enjoy taking in a play in our communities there are a lot of local theater with AWESOME talent, so I truly enjoy that. I did participate in a musical last year when our son was in jail and it was SUCH an awesome distraction, and he got out JUST as it opened and he got to be there opening night. I have been a singer all my life, in bands, and made a fabulous living, but since 'retired' took that on to see if I would like the 'big stage' and it was amazing. Met so many wonderful people and I go to all their plays when they are in production. It is a great escape and something that brings me such pleasure. Last weekend I saw RENT and it was WAY more than my expectations, I laughed, I cried, I was just in awe of the talent I was witnessing.....

I also am paying more attention to my home, we have done over our family room, carpet, paint, moved rooms around and it looks awesome. I have a routine again that I try (LOL) to stick to and now my new job, they hired me perm now, I truly LOVE and have more hours there. It tires me out, but keeps me busy and connected to my community!

OH, and last but not least GARDENING.....I have planted seedlings inside and will plant outside in another month, but even did my garden over, which hasn't been really done in a couple years. Still have MUCh more too do but the weather needs to get a little warmer, lol.....but my latest plantings are doing awesome and LOVE seeing them when I pull in the driveway!

Sorry to say, I am more like deehigs... don't do much of anything for myself... I do walk my dog 2x daily, but it is way more of a chore than an pleasure at this time... SOMEDAY, i will take classes and paint more...

Way to go dmatt!! and hoping, you can come plant for me..

I've come along way,,, use to feel guilty ,, when I did things just for me,,,I meditate, walk,,, even though this sound crazy,,, but I get the greatest peaceful feeling,,, helping others,,,I surround myself with positive things and people ,,,, I take a bath every night ,, and my family of 7,,,, knows when the water is running,,, go to dad,,, even gave the little one (my 5 year old granddaughter ) trained go to papa when bath water is running,,,the other day I rewarded my addict,, and got her eyebrows done,,,, I got mine,,, never took the time to do that,,, I actually started crying to the lady ,, cause she was taking such good care if me,,she probably thought I was crazy!

Love, the sun, planting flowers ,,,love simple things

Of course this site had taught me all this,,, the ones that reach out to me daily,,, have given me inspiration ,,, love ya


Great post dmatt

Hugs
Kim

Wow! a half marathon...awesome. Make sure you do lots of stretching....good for the legs and the hips and lower back.

what do I do for myself? I volunteer at the spca, and this week, my husband and I talked about all the things we do for my extended family as well as our children, and we decided it was time to redecorate the family room...that we were worth a nice room where we spend the most time...and we shopped our butts off. and this time, it was fun, expanding, together. In the past I had only gotten new things when I had to and not enjoyed the process. this has been great.

Eating well, health wise has become really important to us, and more walks. I do need to get back to the gym as well, but to be honest, I am still not all the way done unpacking from my trip (for three weeks) to help the family. The goal is get it done by sunday nite.

Also, I am purging crap out of my house, old papers, old clothes, old anything (or new) we don't need or have attachement to. That has been super freeing. And I am taking my daughter's wedding and reception dresses to a consignment shop on monday.

And I take the time to pray and meditate. And be grateful for the good and the bad, because they have made me who I am.

sorrry to go on so long, I am on a roll! I just Learned how to be good to myself the last couple of years. It really is quite wonderful. Peace and hugs to all.

There are periods that I do take care of myself consciously, making an actual effort, which however hard as a daily task, it does give me a sense of acomlishment. During these periods I realise I learn something totally new to me, from a pro video editing programme to sumberging to a foreign cuising, to studying a topic foreign to me like history of the 13th century... It can be anything really. I become an interested and fun person to be around or at least, that's how it feels lol

There are periods though that I feel drained, barely having the energy to do the simplest things. I do them cause I have to but I tend to procastrinate or do a half job.

I'd love it I could do what you do dmatt.

Hm.. Just realised that I swing according to my moods. My "conscious effort", might just be the expression of my "up" periods.

Do you think our "taking care of me" times depend more on our moods than anything else?