One of the wonderful things about living in New York City is that you can get practically anything delivered.
Got home too late to start cooking dinner? Order in.
No washing machine in your apartment or laundry room in your building? The laundromat down the street will send someone to pick up your dirty clothes, wash them, fold them, and bring them back.
Too cold to go outside, or just don’t feel like hauling groceries on the subway or bus? Fire up the laptop and order fresh organic fruit and vegetables, grass fed meat and wild caught fish, dairy, deli, beer and wine online. Then have delivered to your kitchen floor at the time and date you specify.
I must admit I utilize all these amenities of city life on a regular basis – and I love it!
I used to think that being a conscientious wife (when I was one) and mother (when my daughter was a child) meant working hard all day, then coming home and working again in the evening. I felt good about tiring myself out. It was partly how I judged my character as strong, and how I justified my paycheck and secure home life.
As I’ve gotten older, I realize that I don’t have to prove my worth by overworking myself. I’ve come to see that my wisdom, years of experience, talent and worth are inherent. I was born deserving. There is no need to justify giving myself some ease in the everyday tasks and chores of living.
Having groceries delivered means I have more time to try new recipes. Having the laundry delivered means I put away the neatly folded towels and sheets more quickly.
More than that, I see the importance of setting time to each week for active nurturing and self- care, and to do it in a way that provides the support and accountability I need.
Last year, I committed to a two-hour massage, twice a month. I invested in a massage table so that my masseur does not have to bring his own when he comes to my home for our sessions. I make sure dinner is cooked and that I am showered and relaxed before he arrives, so that when he leaves I don’t have to wreck my “massage high” with any extra activity. I can stay comfy and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
This year, I’ve added a twice-weekly yoga session with a master teacher who also comes to my home in the mornings. Before she arrives I’ve had my cup of tea, completed my journaling and meditation and warmed up on my mini-trampoline. When the session is over, she leaves me in
Shavasana (the “restful corpse” yoga pose) and slips out of the apartment. After 10 minutes I am enlivened and ready for the rest of the day. It’s only been are few sessions, but we can already see a difference.
Next I want to fit in regular acupuncture sessions at the neighborhood community clinic.
The key is to put it on my calendar and make it inviolate, as important as any other meeting or conference call.
I keep my commitments to others because my word and work are involved. I’m so glad to reach a place in life where I honor the commitments I make to my own growth and development with the same resolve.
