Caring for Yourself in the Busy Seasons

It’s May. It’s the month to celebrate mothers! It’s also Small Business Month and National Travel and Tourism Month.

As a mother, small business owner, and event planner, it’s my month!

To celebrate I want to write a post dedicated to all of those out there who are regularly involved in the sacrificial service of others, the common thread that can often be found in motherhood, business ownership, and the hospitality industry.

Have you ever seen Chad Knight’s sculpture “Amor Matris”? Take a second and check it out. It’s a beautiful image that visually shows the kind of service I am talking about, where you literally give pieces of yourself in service to others on a regular basis.

It depicts a mother, but the same visual can apply to so many givers. Giving can rewarding and bring a lot of joy and meaning to our lives, it can also be extremely draining, lonely, and dangerous to our well-being.

If you are in a season of sacrificial giving, realize that you have to take care of yourself or you won’t be any good to anyone. In these busy seasons, here are ways you can be sure to take care of your most important priorities (including yourself):

1. Never say “yes” immediately to a request on your time. It is ok to take time to think about it. Evaluate each request with a realistic view of time you have available in your current season and where it sits in your current priorities

2. Realize life is seasonal. There are certain seasons of life where time and resources may be tighter than others, those are times to have closer and stronger boundaries.

3. Find ways to replenish your heart, mind, and body so that you can keep on pouring out to others. If your cup is dry, how can you keep pouring out to others? What replenishes you in this season? It may not be the same as it was in the last season of your life. Re-analyze what fills you up and DO IT.

4. Ask for help! Be specific in your requests. Do not assume people (even your closest family members and friends) know what you need, and even if they did, they may feel like they are intruding to offer help.

5. Find your people. Connect with others going through a similar season of life. Camaraderie can be life changing.

I hope you find something to help you through your busy seasons of life!