Guest Blog Post - Siobhan Tyler, Founder of One Mama One Shed
/Self care during a pandemic
Self care isn't my strong point, or at least not the typical beauty treatment, shopping trips and exercise regime type isn't anyway. I run OMOS, I work the odd shift at Curated Makers, I do the odd school drop off for a friend and I "stay-at-home" and homeschool my children so like many mum's, my needs are much further down the list of priorities. Yet usually I find a way to muddle through. Getting out of the house and seeing other Mums and their children, preferably with a coffee thrown in for good measure, tends to be my idea of self care but with the coronavirus pandemic changing everyone's way of life, I'm not able to get my fix in quite the same way.
As soon as the government suggested social distancing we pretty much obeyed. As someone who likes to get out and socialise I’m not going to lie, it is a struggle but I’ve been ensuring I get outside for a walk in nature once a day and my (now limited) post office runs have become a real escape from the constant entertaining of children.
I’ve got my friends fix through hundreds of WhatsApp exchanges and a fair number of House Party video calls. The House Party app is great because you can play games with your friends so we’ve got drinks and games nights in the pipeline.
As a family we’ve taken to doing Joe Wickes' daily PE sessions and whilst they feel like they’re killing me slowly I know that it will actually be doing me the world of good. I struggle to fit exercise in usually so doing it with the children is a good compromise that may well see an improvement in my fitness. Although...
I do like to steal a few moments to myself with a coffee and a biscuit or some of our latest baked goods, usually whilst the youngest is napping. It might not be the best for my physical health but mentally, those moments work wonders.
I’ve always set up activities for the children but rarely do I take the time, like I have this past week, to sit alongside them and paint, or draw, or write. It’s been therapeutic. And fun.
Whilst the things I do as a means of self care might not be innovative nor extravagant I do find that they help. If I approach these small acts of kindness with a positive attitude I feel the benefits. It’s when I start to dwell on the things that I’m not getting (like a full night’s sleep or time to indulge in a hobby) that I feel worse. I guess what I’m saying is, self care, to me, is really a state of mind.
Stay safe, stay positive.
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