Us women are notorious for caring for others and lacking in the self care department. Somehow, we think our energy stores will never run out. Maybe we think caring for others will fill up our love tank.
To some degree, caring for others does fill a deep need, to love and be loved. The “and be loved” part of that sentence is what I want you to focus on.
If you don’t love and care for yourself on all levels, physical, emotional and spiritual, your relationship will suffer. Just think of how you feel after ignoring your needs for a while. These two pictures will give you an idea of what life can be like (and how that affects your relationship) when you ignore yourself.
Picture This:
Life has gotten a lot busier. You have a crazy work schedule and paperwork coming out your yin yang. So, you’ve pushed exercise to the backburner. Consequently, you don’t have as much energy. When you think about being intimate with your partner you become a little self-conscious due to your added muffin top or enlarged thighs. Your confidence is not at an all time high.
Self Care isn’t only about making time for exercise, eating healthy food or getting enough rest. You need to take care of your mind and guard your heart.
Whatever you think will trickle down into your heart and affect your emotions. Whatever you allow to fill your heart will trickle off your tongue. Whatever you speak will guide your footsteps. So friends, guard your hearts and minds.
Picture This:
Your responsibilities have increased and your free time seems to be decreasing. You catch yourself thinking, “I don’t have enough time for going out on a date or finishing my work or having fun.” This thought keeps you in an unresourceful, lackng state of mind. You become stressed just thinking that thought. You feel caught in a trap that keeps you from having all you desire.
Thoughts can trap you but YOU ARE GREATER! YOU have the capacity to “re-program” your mind (with a little supernatural help!)
This topic is dear to me. I personally know the power of a thought and how it affects my life. What I believe affects every day of my life and all of my relationships. More specificically my thoughts and decisions dramatically affect my marriage.
To reignite your passion for your partner or keep that fire hot at home, start practicing extreme self care. If you put yourself first everyone flourishes. Apply these strategies to your personal life to enjoy the benefits in your relationship.
* Seize the life you want instead of waiting for someone to hand it to you. If you improved your self care in one area that affects your relationship, what would that be? Identify what needs your attention.
*Learn your and your partner’s love language. When you discover how you want to receive love you can tell your special someone. Until then, your partner may not know how to fill your love tank. They may think they are being extremely loving but to you it’s only pennies in the jar. Wait until they find out how they can put a $100 bill in! Watch this 3 minute movie and take the quiz to discover your love language: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/
*Simplify your life. Your time and mental well being are valuable. Consider how you may be over-committing yourself. Also, consider buying time instead of “stuff.” If you didn’t have to mow your lawn, wash your car, make all your meals or clean your house, how what could you be spending your time? Let people judge you. It’s your life to live how you want to.
May you care for yourself like your relationship depended on it xo
Love,
Amy
