Yesterday, after a many month hiatus, I crafted a batch of cinnamon rolls.
Now, I suppose that could be viewed as no big deal, and some of you are like, where the heck are you going with this Kat? Honestly, right now, I am not even sure where this journey may end up at, but there is a glimmer of an idea here, so bear with me.
So many of my waking hours are filled with responsibility, with task-tending, soul-soothing, and on occasion, flintlock-kicking! Part of this semester's classes for me is a course on Self-Care, as people in the helping professions tend to burn out quickly and/or spectacularly. A lot of this burnout comes from neglecting the care and keeping of one's self, thus a course requirement on how to do so.
What I have found interesting is that many of the aspects of self-care that I am being taught I have already implemented in my life. Each person's self-care routine is going to be unique to them, yet in order to show up and do the good work we should be or are doing in this very broken world, one must be mindful of keeping their form properly cared for.
As many of you know, I am not exactly good at this. Or I should say was. For the past five weeks I have been showing up each morning and taking care of me as best I can so that I can continue to do the work I do without repeatedly falling out to internalized manifested illness. I mean, I know illness is still going to happen, but I have noticed that as I have been unearthing what is self-care for me and practicing it, that I am starting to have less flares.
This weekend was an example that provided a bit of proof about my practice as I went through a very traumatic helping scenario for most of Saturday night. Everyone was eventually okay, but the situation was heart-wrenching, and yet, through it all I was able to stay present, and most of all I didn't have a later bodily reaction that I almost always have when I go through something like that.
Which of course shows me, at least anecdotally, that I may be on the right track with all this self-care stuff.
And where do cinnamon rolls play into this? Well, baking for people I love is a form of self-care for me, and I haven't got a chance to make anything for anyone for a month or two. Spending three hours yesterday lovingly craft those caramelized swirls of dough for a person I adore made all the difference in the world for my ailing form. Because did I mention I am on my 9th day of being sick? Yep, my daughter gave me the cold that never ends. It's been fun!
But you know what, I feel different, and whether that's the walking meditation, or that I am finally letting go of my internalized narrative that I have to suffer just as much or more than the person I am sitting with is suffering, well, I don't know. I think I am just growing finally. Which is something I truly appreciate.
Almost as much as I appreciate cinnamon rolls.
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Cinnamon roll therapy is something I can get into. The last time I was about to bake a batch of bread, JT happened to say something about cinnamon rolls. I don't make them often, because of family members watching their sugar intake. But to me, they are the ultimate comfort food, a memory of my childhood days when my mother would bake them. I would hover over the table while she sliced the long roll, snatching up any raisins that escaped, as well as blobs of brown sugar. So I made some, and I definitely ate more than my share! It was marvelous.
Aww, that is a marvelous memory! And if I remember right, I think my grandma used to put raisins in her cinnamon rolls because my Papa loved them. I love that you collected escaped morsels if you could lol!
!PIZZA
!BBH
Everything you've written here sounds good, except that you're already on your ninth day of illness. So, my sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery, but also a compliment... because despite everything, you're still keeping busy and doing what you love. And those cinnamon rolls... I wish I could taste them. Unfortunately, I'm far too far away for that, in this broken world.
Good morning my dear friend, I was so happy to see a reply from you!😊 I wish I could serve you a cinnamon roll too! And you are right, despite everything, I am still keeping on keeping on, with the occasional delectable pastry thrown in lol, hope all is well, say hi to the pups for me!
!BBH
!PIZZA
Greetings, friend. It's great to have you back here, and it's always good to be able to take that time to do something extra and break away from the routine. It helps you recharge, pick up new ideas, and keep moving forward. That role looks great, and now I'm craving one of those.
Hi there! It's always a pleasure to see a reply from ya! And I hope you found yourself something tasty to snack on lol!
!PIZZA
!BBH
Everything is great, it's wonderful that you're always here.
Yup, the people who care for others often do not take very good care of themselves. It's good they've included a course on it and excellent you have already implemented some of it. I hope you get over the cold soon!
It sorta is a tale as old as time, the caregivers neglect to care for themselves, but I am doing better about that. The irony is that the cold just had to happen, sigh, kids....even adult ones lol lol!
Hope you are having the best day!!
!PIZZA
!BBH
$PIZZA slices delivered:
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Come get MOONed!
Self care is important. I am glad that you also understand that caring for others is a form of self care. Many underestimate this and never meet up with happiness