West+Self+Care+Plan

West Self Care Plan

This is an area of writer's life that needs SERIOUS attention. This writer has always been one who takes care of others first and gets what is left over. Lately, there has been precious little left over. It has become evident if writer does not soon make this a priority, burn out is in the future. As this is being written writer is in the midst of a mysterious fever and respiratory infection which has been ongoing four days while on antibiotics. This has been without a doubt __the most__ stressful time in writer's 48 years. For the past three months writer's Father has been seriously ill with many highs and lows in his health situation and still there is no end in sight. Also, writer has been a single parent for 4 years now(not a complaint-she is a gift) and recently learned her daughter's Father passed away unexpectedly. To add a little whipped cream to the situation writer had this bright idea to return to school to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Actually, the idea to return to school was there long before any of the other mentioned stressors began. Writer's priorities should remain with faith in God as number one, the health and happiness of Molly(daughter) number two. Then writer needs to insert self into the equation. This writer considers returning to school a selfish step in the right direction. It's funny how one can work for years in a great job but not realize how much of her brain is laying idle. It feels good to have to think again. While writer has gotten better at enjoying "life's little moments", she has missed many of them due to working overtime and working a second job to pay off bills. I now realize the bills are going to be there and will eventually be paid off. Now when writer's daughter wants to go fly a kite the writer tries to be accommodating and turns on the Mary Poppins CD so that we may sing the song (Let's Go Fly a Kite!) while we're flying. There are so many moments of richness that God provides for us if we are able to be still and listen. These moments are what have kept me sane these past three months. Writer does have a much bigger mountain to climb in regards to physical health. Writer was an active size 8 person before going through fertility treatments to have her daughter. After Molly was born writer looked at herself in disgust realizing she was now a size 18. Writer put herself on an exercise program consisting of working out at the gym from 45 minutes to an hour of cardio mixed with weight training 3 to 4 days per week, increased her H2O intake to eight 8 ounce glasses per day, cut out refined sugars and took CoQ10, Vitamin D & C, B-complex and fish oil supplements. This was the writer's regime for 4 months. How much change did writer see? Not much. Writer is now looking to start physical activities which her daughter can also take part in. Writer recently obtained some tapes on yoga, yes, Molly will do them too. She did Walk Away the Pounds with writer for 3 months, afterward the writer could barely see her anymore yet this writer remained the same. The stress is not so bad as long as writer keeps in mind to take one day at a time, remembers that God is in control and tries not to forget to have a sense of humor. In conclusion, writer believes that reaching toward a state of homeostasis in all aspects of life will allow her to give in a healthier manner. 