Fabulous You Friday: The Importance of Self-Care

I believe, as a woman, it is VERY important to take care of yourself! Whether you're single, married, a mom, a grandma, work outside of your home, or work solely at home, it is important. Why though? Because you are a woman, that's why! And not because it's your role as a woman, or anything like that, but because I believe it's part of being a woman. As women we get to dress up and look pretty, we get to pamper ourselves. Or at least we should!

I believe every woman should spend money on herself getting her hair and nails done at the very least, and massages/trips to the spa are ideal. I also believe every husband should be supportive of this! If you are a guy reading this...encourage your lady to spend money on pampering herself. She will feel more beautiful, and will therefore look more appealing. I don't pretend to understand how that works, but it does!

In this hectic life of, well, a lot to do, it's important to slow down, take a breath, and make sure you feel good! If you feel relaxed and beautiful you will be nicer to your family, and even to strangers. You will be filled up, and in turn will be able to give of yourself to others. That is one of the greatest feelings there is. So when it comes to taking care of yourself, don't look at it as selfish, look at it as filling yourself up, as renewal.

Think of how life-giving and refreshing it is to drink a nice cold glass of water. But once it's gone, it's gone, it has nothing more to give until it is filled again. Our love and life is a renewable resource...but we have to let it be renewed. We can't keep emptying our cup if we don't have it filled at some point.

I know in these times finances are tight for seemingly everyone, and perhaps money to go out and get pampered just can't be found in the budget. If it comes down to you getting your hair done or your children eating...well, duh. But you can still take care of yourself!

• Create your own spa experience - Take a nice long bath and while everything is nice and soft, push back your cuticles and pluck your brows. Take a small bowl of sugar and exfoliate away dry skin (use gentle circular motions. You want to remove dead skin, not the good skin!) Don't forget your lips! Sugar makes an excellent lip exfoliant...and it tastes nice too!
• Shave your legs - It's amazing how fresh this will make you feel!
• Give yourself a manicure - Clip and file your nails, then paint them a pretty color.
• Try a new hairstyle - Try your hand at braiding. Or wear your hair down and curled if you normally throw it up in a ponytail. If your hair is short, part it to the opposite side or wear a cute headband. 
• Dress nicely - You don't have to walk around in business-casual all the time, but a simple outfit of jeans, a stylish top, and some accessories will make you look put together. Bonus: people in public treat you differently (better) when you are wearing a put together outfit than when you're wearing sweats or something sloppy...I can attest to that personally!

There are many things you can do to take care of yourself whether you go to the salon once a week, once a month, or once a year (I definitely recommend a minimum of twice a year for a trim if at all possible for you). The most life-giving thing you can do to be filled, however, is spend time with God quietly meditating and praying, this will fill you up faster and better than anything, and will leave you glowing!