A Bit of Self Care…

…changes your whole day for the better.

You can’t pour from an empty cup – and all of the other self care cliches that are true. On Sunday night I got very little sleep and was feeling pretty terrible about the 11 hour work day in front of me. My poor dude woke up to be in tears in the bed next to him at the thought of it.

My work wife told me to take a couple of hours in the middle of the day off. I contemplated napping but I am NOT a good napper. I wake up confused and even more out of it. I settled on pulling some money out of the Christmas present fund and spend it on a massage. It was the best way I could have spent my time and money. I was a new person after and ready to do my work proud.

At the end of the massage I wondered why self care is so challenging for me and so many of us. We are so ready to care for those around us that we let our own care slip. That’s the Hufflepuff nature I suppose (and possibly a lot more groups). I want to care of those I care about but I need to remember that I care about myself too. I deserve the same attention and care I offer those around me from myself. I may have to find massage money in the budget more often.

What is your favorite act of self care?

P.S. Still trying really hard not to adopt a dog…

A Magical Escape…

…when life and setting my own p(e)ace isn’t working out.

If you follow me on Instagram, setmyownp.e.ace, you know that I went to the Harry Potter Symphony event last night. Beyond having a wonderful time in a beautiful setting with a slytherin I am taking a chance on, I wanted to share what the Harry Potter series means to me.

People tend to think that Harry Potter is a fun following (and it is) but it’s more then that to me. The Harry Potter books have allowed me a world to completely escape to when my real world has been falling apart. When I needed to run from my world and the exhaustion of keeping up with life, I would go to Hogwarts, hunt horcruxes, attend hte Yule Ball, or just hang out with the gang in the common room.

Identifying as a Hufflepuff is actually a really big part of my identity. I consider a huge chunk of my personality and a sort of moral compass. I try to live by the values of loyalty and hard work, offering acceptance to anyone who has ever felt left out. I am quite proud of making this a part of who I am on a daily basis and wearing my Hufflepuff gear proudly when the occasion allows.

I really don’t know what I would have done in those times without Harry Potter and his adventures. So when I get emotional at events like this it’s about more than just being a nerd. I got to share that with someone on Sunday and it was really nice so I wanted to share it with all of you!

What is your go to escape when setting your own p(e)ace is overwhelming?

photo credit: @escapebyreading