LIBBY. I AM OVERWHELMED WITH JOY AT THIS COMMENT. I love that you said something came alive in you with the birth of your daughter. My husband and I joke that my first symptoms were deep feelings of power and creativity (it’s only a half a joke, because there was something stirring that felt unlike anything else, and that stirring felt… well, powerful and creative!) I think there’s such an opportunity to let a new baby encourage our habits and foster our disciplines and creativity and become more ourselves, more alive. Which is one of the reasons I am trying to think about it a few months ahead of time ☺️ I’m so grateful for your story and wisdom! xox

Thank you Julie! So far, the totally new feeling of utter joy and the lurking fear have yet to subside. I’ll take it from you that this is my life now! (Not a bad life at all, if I do say so myself ☺️!) Thanks for your kind words and (as always!) for your wisdom! xox

YES AMY! 🙌🏻 Scented candles, retail therapy, expensive massages… that’s what tends to come to mind when I think of self-care. But I am with you: the scary opposite of good, balanced self-care is becoming a martyr, which isn’t good for anyone in your life — especially if (like me) it becomes a life of resentful sacrifices, instead of chosen, thoughtful sacrifices. So wise!! And so glad to hear your own journey has taught you this.. it gives me hope! xox (PS: YES! I’M IN. ❤️)

Thank you Charmaine! I’m going to work hard to make it a win-win 😉 — I think it’s important (and I suspect it will be difficult!) xox

Thank you Mailinh! And yes — I think each year of my life feels like there’s a different reason for taking life-giving habits more seriously. A good friend of mine (who’s also wary of the term “self-care”) once said, “instead of thinking of it as ‘treat yourself,’ I try to find myself in situations that make me exclaim, ‘what a treat!'” — and I find that perspective really refreshing! xox