Runs on Coffee and Cream

Ah, self care. It wasn't until I became a Mom that I realized how important it was. I was quickly consumed by my new role in life and my postpartum anxiety that I had to step back and find some ways to take care of myself.

This week's 5 Fandom Friday prompt is incredibly important for everyone's health and it can include such a variety of things because everyone and every mood can dictate a different way to self care; treating yourself to a fancy coffee, getting your hair done, face masks at home, a bubble bath, a big bowl of ice cream.

Let's talk about mental health.

I've always been a somewhat anxious person; worrying about every little thing and usually playing out all the worse case scenarios in my head. But once I got pregnant with Emma, things got worse. I became obsessed about what I was eating while I was pregnant. Double checking everything was pasteurized, didn't contain any spices that were said to bring on early labour, and keeping Adam's lunch meat in a special drawer in our fridge that I refused to touch. I didn't think it was too weird considering how many years and how much money it took to get pregnant. I didn't want to take any chances to mess things up.

My everything.

I wrote this post about a month ago. I needed to express my frustrations and typing them out helped. After re-reading what I wrote, I still feel so many of these things. They've lessened a bit as we get into a bit more of a routine, or as I get more comfortable in my new role. Plus, we've been heading outside more to soak in sunshine and it has helped so much. I know everyone's experience with having a baby is different, but this is my experience. 

No matter how many things I read, how many stories I heard from people, or listened to the advice from my doctors, I wasn't prepared for the postpartum part of my journey.

The pain and restrictions from having a c-section was horrible. The swelling was even more ridiculous than what I experienced in third trimester and breastfeeding was incredibly frustrating. It took about two weeks for the insane swelling to go down, three weeks to sleep in my own bed again, and about five weeks for the pain in my lower abdomen to disappear (though, not completely). I'm still dealing with leftover healing issues from my c-section incision (still! 12 weeks later!), but I'm on the path to recovery.

It's been a struggle and when you add in first-time mom anxieties, a newborn, and sleep deprivation, you end up an oversensitive, exhausted zombie. Outside of Emma, my patience is nil. Then there's my eating habits. Some days I'm super healthy in my eating routine and other days I could throw back an entire cake for every meal. I can tell my hormones are changing and my body is heading back to... normal? Pre-pregnancy? Sort of, but still changed and different.


Maybe I was naive, but I honestly didn't expect to feel these things physically, mentally and emotionally.

Then you take the new baby.... my heart fills when she looks at me, when she grins, when she cries and snuggles into my neck when I hold her.

Talk about a whirlwind of emotions.


I believe the biggest help I've had is having people check in on me regularly. To have people to 'chat' with daily even if by text or social media. Adam's been pushing me to get outside and we've been making the most of leaving the house for doctor's appointments by adding in other fun aspects (lunch out, walk at the park).

Honestly, my biggest struggle right now is taking care of myself physically. I feel like living in sweat pants, hair in a bun, and living off coffee. I've been trying to make a point of filling my water bottle and telling myself to drink 3 of them during the day. Or to switch a cup of coffee with a green tea. This goes well some days and other days, when I've had 5 hours of sleep, not so much.

I know it's just a phase and things will (or should) get easier. Summer is coming up which means more sunshine and opportunities to be outside. Just being out of the house and getting some exercise and Vitamin D should help me recover.

Trying to practice self-care.

It's been almost a year since I found out I was pregnant, and if you talked to me during this time, thank you. Thank you for being around to chat with, no matter how fluffy the conversation. It's been months and months of emotional, physical and mental craziness. I appreciate all of you.

xo Jen

An absolute must right now since my skin is so dry!

See? Kitty snuggles. He keeps me on the couch longer than I should be.

Typical outfit on days I'm off work. Lots of layers and warm socks.

 

We tried a new bakery here in the city and I'm so in love! It was adorable inside and the food was amazing.

I shared a raspberry crumble bar and a slice of chocolate pecan pie with Adam. He's lucky I shared.

Kitty tights + kitty.

He has a box problem.

I'm finally at a stage where I like my hair most days. It's grown to a great length and I'm loving the blonde.

I hope February is treating you well!
xo Jen

I've been focusing on self care a lot over the last couple of months. I can easily become stressed, exhausted and scatterbrained lately so I've been making time for me. During these times I've found a few new things I like.

Beauty Products

After some lengthy conversations with beauty product-obsessed friends I decided to try out a couple of new products from Sephora. I've been stuck in a rut with certain beauty products that I've been using since high school. But guess what? My skin has changed (and shh... I'm seeing fine lines!). Anyways, these two products have become life savers and confidence boosters:

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Concealer

This concealer lasts all day, doesn't melt off my face or settle into my lines, and it dries a lovely matte finish.

Benefit Cosmetics ka-BROW! Cream-Gel Eyebrow Colour

This cream gel is incredibly easy to use but my favourite thing is the colour. Their blonde is really blonde! It's such a perfect match for my fair eyebrows.

Foot Masks

I've been addicted to face masks for a while now so it wasn't a surprise to find myself looking at hand and foot masks. This one particular foot mask claimed to give you super soft skin because it helped peel away all the dead skin. I spent just under 2 hours one night with these mask booties on my feet which was pretty relaxing and a little weird. After washing my feet I didn't notice any difference, but a few days later I started to notice skin peeling. Well, it's been over a week and my feet are so soft! All the dead skin has come off and has left me with smooth feet. I cannot recommend this product enough! I'm also happy I bought 2 so I can do this again in a couple of months.

Tony Moly Changing You Magic Foot Peeling Shoes

Next up on my self care to do list is a charcoal face mask while I watch Bridget Jones's Baby!

xo Jen

The holiday season is upon us, winter is creeping up, and the real world has definitely been throwing some unexpected punches. It's time to practice self-care.

Until January my work will be insane. I'm working maximum hours each week and have been offered overtime more than once already. On top of that I have a list of a million things to do over the holiday season before Christmas hits. Then there's stress from real world problems, minor personal stresses, and trying to keep up with all my hobbies. I've turned into a giant ball of exhaustion and stress.

Up until last week I thought I could handle it all. Then I broke down. I can't. I'm human and I need to accept that I can't do a million things at once. So here I am writing down my self-care plan for the holiday season.


1. Take time outs.

Turn my phone off, shut out the real world news updates, and just zone out; read a book, put my headphones on to listen to music while I clean or fold laundry, or watch a good tv show without also working on something else.

2. Get more sleep during the night.

I'm sleep deprived. I never get enough. I go to bed late, have restless sleeps, and then struggle to get out of bed on time for work. I've already spent 4 days heading to bed earlier than normal and getting up at a reasonable time so that I don't sleep my morning away.

3. Learn to say 'no'.

I tend to say 'yes' to all plans and ideas that come my way. This holiday season needs to be simplified. Less unnecessary outings, less Christmas gifts (not to be cheap, but it's time to lessen the gift giving stress with some people), and not letting work take over my life.

4. Head outside.

Life is busy during the holiday months but I need fresh air, sunshine, and time to just have pointless conversations with Adam or to zone out with my music.

5. Eat better.

Hello sweets and fattening foods! That is what the winter months are for. But I need to balance out the rich foods and treats with more fruits and veggies. I've already started this and have been loading my lunch bag up with snap peas, sliced peppers, and all the fruits I can fit into my bag.

Source

There's a lot more I've been consciously doing over the last few days; pampering myself with face masks, massaging lotion into my arms and hands before bed, using the computer less during the day, trying to not let work situations stress me out or follow me home, playing with the cats more.

Right now is an important time to step away from the madness of the world and find some positivity and happiness in your own little bubble. At least that's what I'm going to be trying to do so I can get through the holidays in one, happy piece.

xo Jen