Have you heard the saying, “you cannot pour from an empty cup”?
It refers to self-care and prioritising your own sense of wellbeing and wellness.
We cannot show up for the people we love or execute to a high standard at work or simply function in society they way we’d like if we’re running on empty.
Physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually – particularly as parents.
When we must prioritise so many things above ourselves day in, day out – it makes total sense that we feel our cup’s contents diminishing til there’s a sense of “I’ve got nothing left in me” every now and then.
It’s a conversation my husband and I have had many times since becoming parents two-and a-bit years ago.
And, that sense of refilling the cup looks different for us both.
I usually need time to myself, by myself, not talking to anyone (I know, weird right) and he likes to catch up with the people he never usually has time for; those “we gotta catch up” friends.
But, recently, I thought I’d take a leaf out of his book and use a free weekend to fill my cup socially.
I had some girlfriends come to town from down south, friends I usually only see once a year and we had 56 solid hours together to chat, drink, eat, dance and swap secrets during a good-old-fashioned sleepover (with a little earlier bedtime and a lot more skin care than we used in our 20s).
And, thanks to my amazing partner, I did not plan one thing, I did not organise one thing and I did not have to worry one ounce about our daughter or our responsibilities at home.
I was able to be fully present with my friends, reconnect with the side of me that does not get nurtured as much as it used to since becoming a parent.
I could enjoy the updates and the pictures and the videos he sent but remain at a distance and let him do his thing while I did mine.
I came back Sunday afternoon and felt more like myself again.
I love this side of me that has grown in parenthood but it does not mean I have lost who I am at my core.
I think finding ways to nurture all sides of oneself is the greatest gift we can give our kids, our partners, our friends and ourselves!
For more lifestyle stories:
- Bob Hawes: Let’s get down to business
- Matt and Brett: Who’s coming to the cottage?
- Emma White: Leaping into wine
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