"Darlin I'll take care of you"

Let's talk for a second about mommies. I'm a mommy. I have a mommy. I have friends and other family members who are mommies. We all have one thing in common: We almost always put what we need behind the needs of our families. This isn't always a terrible thing, I mean everyone needs to take one for the team now and again. But I know that there are truly days when I feel drained. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally drained. I feel like this shell of a person going through the motions giving and giving and giving. I don't say this to complain. I love my family. I love my life. I love sacrificing for my family. But I recognize a need to take care of ME. This is something I've struggled with for a long time--finding the balance. I've not always gotten it right. Sometimes I don't do enough for me, sometimes I go way the opposite way and don't do enough for my family.

This is where Cute Rochelle comes in. Cute Rochelle (heretofore to be referred to as "C.R." Ha ha) has recently started her own business as a "Health and Wellness Coach." She's been trying to convince me for MONTHS that I need to let her practice on me. Unfortunately, I've been boffy and afraid of committing so I've flaked more than once. It just seemed too frou-frou and "get in touch with your inner child-y." However, a few days ago, I mentioned on my Facebook Status that I was feeling a lack of energy and motivation. She commented that she could help me with that "one baby step at a time." I laughed, but decided maybe it was time to take her up on her offer. My 10K is coming up next month and I realize that I'm adding a training schedule to an already-busy life. I decided maybe I could use some help finding balance. So I called her. She answered the phone and said, "Well, helloooo Peggy!" I said, "Hello Rochelle! How are you?" She replied, simply, "You need me." Ha ha ha! Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard. She's right I do need her. We talked for about 30 minutes and did a little exercise to see how balanced my health and wellness is right now. (It was waaaaaaayyyyy off-kilter. Imagine that!) We picked an area I want to work on first and set some goals. (Have I ever mentioned I suck at goal-setting? I was actually able to do it!) She asked me at the end of our conversation (since I'm a practice client so I get to offer feedback) if I thought this service was a value. Let me tell you what I told her.

Women have this tendency to put themselves last. We give to everyone but ourselves and when we feel "unbalanced" we cope by doing things like going shopping, going to lunch with friends, getting a pedicure, whatever. These things are only temporary. They take our minds off our stress for an hour or two or a day or a weekend, but then we go right back to our regular life and those same stresses are still there. We've not actually FIXED anything, we've just bandaged it for a minute. This is such a great service to offer women to help us fix those things in our life that we're unsatisfied with. She gave me few answers, she helped ME figure out what I can do and helped ME make sure I could accomplish the goals I set. It was so amazing. It's awesome for me to have a cheerleader on my side that I can also be accountable to. My family is wonderful and they love me and encourage and support me, but they're my family. They love me. No matter what. I can't complain about that, but knowing that I have to email CR at the end of the week and let her know how I did is beyond motivating. I'm so excited to tackle these things in my life that I want to work on. I feel like I've accomplished so much this past week, just surpassing the teeny tiny goal I've set for myself makes me feel like I can do anything.

Why do I tell you this? To brag about how awesome I am? Heck yes! Just kidding. No. I tell you this because while CR is still practicing, she needs 6 more "practice clients" this month. So please let me know if you're interested. I PROMISE you that this will help you! It's really not frou-frou and "get in touch with your inner child" it's all about YOU. Helping you find balance with all the important things you have on your plate so you can be the best you that you can be. She does everything on the phone or via Internet (huh. That doesn't sound right. Don't get the wrong idea, Internet Crazies and Joe H. She's not that kind of girl! LOL) so even if you're out of state, you can participate in the fun. Comment if you're interested and I'll get you in touch with her.

Even if this is something you're not interested in, please take care of you my sweet friends. Take time for you, love who you are and remember that you're doing better than you think you are.