It’s very exciting for me to be doing my first blog! (click here)
Barb's Blog
Hello to all of you. It’s very exciting for me to be doing my first blog. Last week was a week when many of us are shown appreciation both as mothers and nurses. Were celebrated last week and appropriately so. But I’m wondering about the other 51 weeks. Are you loving and nurturing yourself….putting “YOU” at the top of the list and not at the bottom. Focusing on getting my own needs met is something very new to me. I’ve come to the realization that I have not been responsible for loving and taking care of myself. Ouch…that hurts!! Me admitting that I haven’t been irresponsible to nurture myself. The word responsible means….having the ability to respond to a need…We all have the ability but…Are we making it a priority? Are your needs getting met? Do you even know what your needs are? You may think this sounds a little selfish….but I believe far too many of us suffer from “FNS” …Florence Nightingale Syndrome. We have been called and trained to serve…our families and our patients…and in this process have forgotten to nurture ourselves. We have somehow arrived at the bottom of the list, rarely or never getting our own basic needs met. I am reminded of the little blurb that all of the airlines give us, just before a plane departs, “If the oxygen mask drops down…put the mask over your nose and mouth, before trying to help others!” I need to remind my self at the beginning of every day…to make time for MY needs. Just in case, you’ve forgotten what they are…Mazlow’s Hierarchy of needs is a great place to start! It’s amazing what an improvement we can make in our quality of life…if we get the proper rest, nutrition and put that oxygen mask on and breathe. I hope those of you that have heard my presentation, “Nurturing the Nurturer Within” and received our goody bag of ” Barb’s Favorite Things” are making baby steps toward little positive changes in your life and really loving yourselves. I too, am on this journey myself…and have taken more “15 minute bubble baths with my new discovery of the “high water bath” It’s amazing to me how 15 minutes seem to pass away in seconds when I’m working at the hospital… but 15 minutes in a relaxing hot tub is a great escape. I have also committed to…and having success at eating 3 meals a day at regular times…7am-8am, 12:30 and 6:30. I am surprised at how the desire to snack in between meals has totally disappeared. What have you been doing to nurture yourself, since January? Are you using and enjoying all the goodies?
Can you encourage others…or do you need some encouragement? What are your own personal goals in this area…? What’s working and what’s not working. .We are on this journey together…I’d love to hear from you!!
Enthusiastically,
Barb
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Just wanted to let you know how I’m putting myself first. By this time next year, I will be retired from nursing (full time anyway) and living in the beautiful state of Colorado.With 2 nieces, their husbands and sons and a goddaughter, her husband and daughter, I’ll be in hog heaven with family and friends.
I”m not at that point to put myself first. My 90 year old mother is tops! We travel together still, but I see her life slowing down and not treating her well.She is my inspiration and I’d do anything for her. We look forward to our next trip with Barb to the Western Caribbean for well needed R&R in 2010. Til then… be safe!
Barb - The blog is a great idea at staying connected with everyone. On the January 2009 cruise, I did a good job of taking care of myself by frequent napping. My schedule doesn’t allow for that right now. Instead, I have committed to hitting the pillow at 10 PM every night. This has worked well for me. Thanks!
Hey All!
I have been a victim of the FNS during my 20’s and 30’s. Once I hit my 40’s, I finally started putting myself first, with the manicures and pedicures. Then I moved up to the cruises. My adult children still need me, but now I can go on that cruise (or to Punta Cana) and not feel guilty!!!! Thanx Barb.