Put your oxygen mask on first

I remember countless times, sitting next to my mom, on a plane, watching the safety video that shows a mom putting on her oxygen mask before putting her child’s on. It seemed so counterintuitive. My mom was going to put on her mask first while I just sat there? Knowing my own mom, I am not sure she would have done that. Luckily we have never been in that situation. At least not literally.

No, I am not a mom. But I am a wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend and more. Just when I feel like I am going to refocus on myself, someone calls. In the middle of my meditation, I get a call I ignore, only to worry the rest of the time. Maybe I try to be too much to too many. And feel immense guilt when I fall short. But society has seemed to teach women, including this one, that we are supposed to be able to do everything and do it with a blowout intact and a toned body.

Lately, I have been struggling to be there for others while also truly taking care of myself. There are many close to me dealing with personal hardships, family illness, deaths and more. I want to answer every call, every text, help them through hard days and be a stable support. But how? How do I answer every call while making sure I am getting what I need? We all know that when our loved ones are in pain, we take it on. Its just human nature. But where do we draw the line?

This past weekend, my husband and I went to Miami for a long weekend getaway. We both have family and friends there and this time, for the first time, we saw no one else and just focused on ourselves and each other. We slept in, went for long beach runs, read and relaxed near the pool and beach and I meditated for extended periods of time. We put our oxygen masks on first.

Now that we are home, the daily nuisances of life will sneak back in, but for now, I am reminded of what I need. And will do my best to give it to myself every day.

Now off to meditate….