Love & support brings us together.
Every morning, I get up early and walk our dog, Bear. Now that it’s winter, it’s typically in the dark.
I typically love these walks because it provides some time that’s on my own, where I reflect on the day, issues that I am working through or what I am thankful for. I also have this feeling when I swim, it’s a nice flow where everything drifts away, and there’s time where reflections move as my body moves.
Having this time is critical for my day. Every other moment is filled with work projects, household to do items, or things that Barton may need. I have been known to put myself last, putting everyone else’s needs first.
Barton is constantly getting on me to take care of myself, take time to rest, to exercise, or just time to take care of my own needs. But I have to give myself permission to take time away, which is difficult when I see so many other things I could be doing.
Most women are like this, and most caregivers are as well. When we see a need, we jump in to take care of it.
But over the years, I’ve found it’s critical to walk every morning, to find time for a swim, to journal or have an afternoon away from everything. And it’s also critical for me to step back. Barton can figure things out for himself without my jumping in at the slightest request.
It’s a balance that’s difficult to maintain, and inevitably I sway too much one way or another. And when I notice I forget my morning walks or I haven’t swam in a month, I have to make an effort to put them back into my day.
This morning, my walk was after a gentle rain, and as the sun rose, the mist lifted from damp streets. And I felt alive.
~Megan