Some of my friends know I broke my toe five days before I was leaving to hike Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon. Not a great move on my part. I told my dog to chase the geese and she ran out of the house and I ran behind her (barefoot). However, in some region of her brain she decided to stop running suddenly but she failed to communicate that to me. 🙂

It’s taking a bit longer to heal (because of course I decided to do R2R with the broken toe) so I’ve taken to soaking my foot each day. Today, for the first time in a couple of weeks, I realized that I sit here with a nice warm foot bath but only put one foot in … the injured one. I know this seems like a stupid topic (as most of mine are) but it got me wondering why I wasn’t even considering taking care the other foot at the same time. Like we only take care of the injury and move on … know what I mean?

Yesterday I was with a dear friend and we were talking about being on the back 9 of life and how in many ways, it is so wonderful. She reminded me that there is a big life misconception that we should take care of others before we take care of ourselves. We’ve been ground down into thinking that taking care of US is selfish but that such thinking is really f***ed up (my swearwords, not hers!).

She’s right, of course. However, as I write this I realize that I do not like those posts that talk about self care … like how to take care of ourselves by getting a massage, nails, travel, quiet time, etc. Honestly, I’m pretty sure that’s not what I’m thinking about here.

When I think about self care, I think of forgiveness for myself. Letting go of the stupid shit floating around in my mind. Reminding myself that we can’t look back so what do I want to see going forward. I even think self care is listening more and talking less.

Look, I know jack shit here, so I’m not sure I’m a good baramator. I’m just musing about life (when I should be working) and sitting here with (now) two feet in my bucket. It’s a start. 🙂

XOXO

Jessica