Everyone says you need to take care of yourself but how? My idea of self care is drinking coffee while it's still hot. Finally negotiated with my wife that I get one night a week to do literally nothing and it's been a game changer for my mental health. Even if you can't get a full night, just 30 minutes of not being 'on' helps.
For me it's the library on Saturday mornings. Just an hour away where I'm doing something for me while still being a good parent. Find your thing and protect that time.
The coffee thing is real self care honestly. I try to wake up 20 minutes before everyone else just to sit with my coffee and scroll through my phone without anyone asking me for something. It's the little wins.
Man, I get this so much. My "self care" is literally sitting in my car for 15 minutes before I go inside after work. Just me, the radio, and a cold coffee from this morning. It's not Instagram-worthy but it keeps me sane.
Coffee while they're watching cartoons is basically meditation. I'll take it. Real talk though, even 15 minutes at the gym or just sitting in your car for a few minutes counts. It doesn't have to be fancy spa stuff.
Real talk, self care as a dad is probably drinking that coffee in peace before anyone wakes up. Even ten minutes of quiet makes a difference. You're not being selfish, you're recharging.
Coffee in the morning before everyone wakes up is legit self care. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Sometimes it's the 5 minutes of quiet before the chaos that saves your day.
I feel this in my soul. My self care is woodworking in the garage for an hour on Saturday mornings while my kid plays nearby. Nothing fancy, just something that's mine. What used to be a hobby became actual therapy.
This resonates so much. My idea of self care is literally just closing the bathroom door for five minutes. But seriously, even small moments count. You deserve them.
The coffee thing is real though. I've found that my self care is actually being out doing something I love - coaching my kids' league games. Sounds counterintuitive but being on that field doing something just for me (even though it's for them) actually helps more than sitting still ever could.
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The thing is, drinking coffee while watching them is still self care. You're present but also taking a moment for yourself. Give yourself credit for that.