Best Piece of Advice from Effie Parks

Oh, the things I have learned since becoming a mother to a child with a rare disease. So many life lessons. So many times I have taken the hard road, sometimes consciously and sometimes not. I have gained such a valuable perspective in so many areas from this rare life. One big one for me though is something we always hear people talking about. Self-care. I don’t love that it has become such a buzz word and perhaps diminished its meaning along the way, but it does indeed steer the ship. You will get lost at sea if you ignore yourself and the chaos will consume the entire crew.

It is important to understand what self-care is FOR YOU. Social media can glamorize what it should look like but don’t be fooled. I believe it’s a mindset shift we need to do for ourselves. I have learned that the key is to believe that it is important to you to do it every day or every couple of days. To be consistent in whatever self-care is for you. Maybe it is wearing bright colors, a breathing technique, binging on a show, figuring out how to have your morning cuppa completely alone. There are so many “small” things we as caregivers can do that will refresh and reset our energy levels.

What has been helpful for me is to literally write it down and have it in front of my face. I put a huge chalkboard magnet that covers my fridge and I drew 4 oxygen tanks. I colored it all pretty with colored chalkboard paint pens and decided on what 4 things I need to do every day to make sure to fill my own tank.  My oxygen tank consists of drinking water, going outside, eating something healthy, and concentrating on my breath at some point. It may sound silly that something this basic can fuel you and make you feel accomplished but trust me, you get more bang for your buck in making the micro-steps/changes than you do from one weekend away that you finally get. If anything those micro-steps help you to actually relax if you are so lucky to ever get that weekend away. Incorporate self-care for you as you are right now, not for who you wish you were. You’re doing a great job.

Guest Post from Effie Parks, Once Upon a Gene Podcast Creator & Host, and Rare Mama to Ford

Once Upon A Gene