Priming the pump when your well runs dry

In our day to day whizzing about, our feet hit the floor running. Work; kids; relationships; meal planning, shopping, and preparation; laundry; cleaning; errands; ferrying people about; making and keeping appointments; volunteering; providing a shoulder to cry on... 
 

We give and give and give, sooner or later to have nothing left to sustain ourselves, let alone anyone else. Then where are we, and all of those who depend on us? 
 

The problem is that we think we don't have the time, the money, or deserve to do the types of things that are indispensable in keeping us sane. They need not be time consuming or expensive. And it's not necessary to resort to alcohol or other chemicals for relief or relaxation.

• Pamper yourself. Light some candles, put on some relaxing music, and luxuriate in a bubble bath (you've seen what a nice bath will do for wound up kids).  

• Go to a beauty salon just to get your hair washed, or find someone willing to sit quietly and brush your hair or rub your feet.

• Visit a library or book store. Browse an area that is of special interest, be it travel, art, garden, cooking, poetry, inspirational, or some other topic of wonder. Children's books are great fun to look at. You may come across one from your childhood; certainly you will discover some new ones with stories or illustrations that will take your breath away or bring tears to your eyes.

• Allow yourself daily contact with nature. Smell the flowers, the fresh cut grass, the soil. Look up through the branches of a tree and drink in the many shades of green as the sunlight filters through the leaves. Revel in the gentle breeze, the bird song, the crickets and cicadas making their music. Watch the squirrels and their antics, the sparrows tormenting the crows. Visit the spider that is bound to be spinning a web someplace in the yard. Wonder at how all of life has its own routines and boundaries...

• Get yourself some really nice colored pencils and a coloring book geared toward calming the frazzled minds of adults- Roger Burrows' Images, OptiDesigns, Mandalas, Coloring Books for Women. Coloring is very relaxing.

You may notice that I tend to suggest things that seem more appropriate for children. We all have an inner child and being able to access him/her is very useful in connecting on a deeper level with the children in our lives. Not only that, but we can give ourselves the nurturance we wanted and may not have gotten as a child. 
 

That said, it is my firm belief that even adults should have a stash of toys of their very own. I keep a drawer of toys in my office: bubbles, slide whistle, magic wand filled with glitter, slinky, kaleidoscope, magnet sculpture, Jacob’s ladder, Koosh ball, and a snugly stuffed animal that is actually a comfort to me when I am sad or lonely. My personal favorite is a hand held labyrinth that serves to collect my thoughts when they scatter following intense and extended concentration, or spending a few hours in the company of several children all vying for my attention. 
 

Make your own list of ideas for when you just can't take it any more! In the end, we must rely only upon ourselves to provide the nurturing our soul so desperately craves, to fill our spirit so that we can care for those who need us, and stay on top of the many other demands in our lives. To expect it from someone else leads only to disappointment and resentment.

RDW (2007, revised 2010)