Take Care of Yourself Too

This entry is meant more as a reminder to myself. But, if you're reading it, there's a good chance you might need to hear it.

If you're like me, you're holding down a full-time, forty hour a week (or more) job, and you're trying to do a lot of stuff on the side. Your evening hours might include a meeting to plan a fundraiser, a night out with the Democratic women to write letters and kvetch, or some extra bonus time in front of the computer, building a website or writing letters to the editor.

Don't forget: You have to learn to balance.

Now, don't get me wrong, I understand why we like it. The drama. Ah, there's a campaign on. I don't have TIME to wash the dishes, eat right, or exercise. I have to save the world! There are phone calls to make, training sessions to attend, meetings to go to.

Stop that.

You are doing yourself and those around you no good by wringing yourself out like a wet rag. You need to learn the fine art of saying NO. Saying, "I'm too busy. Can someone please help me with this?" Admitting, in short, when you are licked and need a bail-out.

And you need to stop feeling guilty when you do something for yourself. Think about the last time you rode a bike, went for a walk, or did something fun? Exercise, eating healthy, and meditation (or your equivalent) are really the basics. That's what stokes your fires up so you can GO out and do all of the activism you feel called to do.

So force yourself. Get out from behind that desk. Get off the couch. Get outside. Get back in the kitchen and cook something wonderful. You know you need to. So just do it! :)