Disclosure: I am proud to partner with BROOKSIDE Chocolates to inspire you to think #ThatsBallsy and then DO IT. As always, all thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.
It has been five thousand and twenty days since I almost died.
I wish I was being hyperbolic, but in many ways, that day shaped not only my appreciation for life and motherhood, but the importance of standing up for myself and prioritizing self care.
It was the day (and night) my daughter was born. By birth standards, mine was a piece of cake. That is, until my sweet girl was out in this beautiful world and my body refused to do what it was supposed to do – stop bleeding. I hemorrhaged…losing 60% of my blood as my doctor worked for nearly two hours to take care of me. I wish what seemed like success at the time, actually was. Unfortunately, I began to bleed internally.
That is, no one outside of me. I knew. My body knew. Something wasn’t right. The pain was intense and the heaviest of medication did nothing to take the edge off. For hours, I pestered nurses – begging them to believe me – something just wasn’t right. Despite their attempts to placate my fears (and pain), I persisted. At nearly midnight (I gave birth just after 7pm) a nurse acquiesced to my pleas to examine me. Her ‘Oh my god’ was like a salve. I knew she had seen what I was feeling. All three primary OB/GYNs from my practice arrived at the hospital to consult and I was taken in to emergency surgery immediately.
Without my pestering, pleading and begging, the internal hematoma I developed would have taken my life.
I would love to tell you this moment was the beginning of my ‘self care’ movement…but the beauty and challenges of motherhood quickly overwhelm the memories of both intense fear and physical pain. I fell easily in to putting myself last, behind first my daughter, then my son and then my self-started business.
It’s been years.
Yes, years. And my natural inclination is to put softball and baseball, school work and housework, client lists, work travel and family time – FAR above my basic needs – like exercise, sleep, and time to myself. (I’m one of those people who craves time alone.) As you may know, ignoring your bold inner self and sacrificing your body and soul can come with a price. You’d think I would have learned after the first memo my body sent.
But it is easier to fall in to old patterns, to ignore that inner urge to remember YOU. It may sound strange, but it takes courage and guts…dare I say, a ballsy attitude, to look yourself in the mirror and realize, not only are you enough, but you are the one who needs to take care of you. No one is going to do it for you.
It’s ballsy to say you matter and your needs can’t and shouldn’t wait.
And then? It’s ballsy to do the work and make changes.
This year, this Mother’s Day, I’m celebrating that ballsy side of me by forgoing the guilt, making the time and taking care of me.
This means making sure my family knows I am a better mother, friend and entrepreneur when I am fueled by what serves my soul.
BROOKSIDE can be found in the candy aisle of most major retailers.
Take the time to be quiet, make your heart race, dance in the surf. I am worth it. You are worth it.
To connect with BROOKSIDE online and follow the #thatsballsy moves other women like you are making, find them here on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Oh my! I can’t imagine losing that much blood! I am so happy that you’re here! I feel we’re inclined to put others above ourselves, knowing that we NEED to give ourselves some self care, whether it be exercise or sleep. I have tried Brookside Dark Chocolate with blueberry. So amazing!
Your story sounds a lot like mine win baby #2. It was awful.
Self care. This is something I need to work on desperately. I need to make self care more of a focus for myself. I am so busy taking care of everyone else I come last.
These chocolates look super delicious! I am so going to pick these up for myself!
This is a great reminder. This year, I like to focus on taking care of myself. Thanks so much for sharing your story!
Self care is very important. I know I should do this more often though. Like you, I listen to what my body tells me. It is only me who can feel things that are not “normal.” Sleep is very important for me and I try to get as much of it as I can. My mom always told me, “Love yourself first before you can be capable of loving others.”
i love the concept of this post. I am not a mom yet but sometimes as women it is seen as selfish to take care of yourself but that is wrong. if you dont take care of yourself you cant take care of other so it isnt just ballsy to have this attitude its healthy for anyone!
I am not a mother but I definitely understand that it’s important that you take time for you especially when you’re taking care of other people. You won’t be able to take care of your family if you don’t take care of yourself first. It’s awesome that you’re taking some time off for yourself this Mother’s Day! You should do it more often.
Self care is so important and definitely something I find myself putting off as I take care of our family first. I loved your post! Thanks so much for sharing with us.
I need this in my life right now…..some self care and me time