Our fabulous First Lady is on the cover of this month’s G.l.a.m.our Magazine. In the article, she is quoted by saying :
In answer to a reader question about how she keeps her sanity, the First Lady told Katie, “I have always tried to put my kids first, and then…put myself a really close second, as opposed to fifth or seventh. One thing that I’ve learned from male role models is that they don’t hesitate to invest in themselves.”
When I read the quote from Mrs. O, I had to laugh because she rephrased something I say all the time. A man will not hesitate to do for themselves when they need something. Why is it so hard for a woman to do the same?
Do you feel guilty if you decide to splurge on some item or take some time for yourself? I know that there has been many a time that I will put off something I want or need to do because someone else in my home or family has a more pressing need.
As I get older, I have learned that taking care of myself is just as important as being a good wife, mother, friend and co-worker. It’s okay to let everyone know that I need some time for me.
Men always seem to do for themselves. They want something? They get it. They want to go somewhere? They go. Not to mention they will look at you like this when you complain about not having time to do something you need to do.
Whenever I start telling Mr. 1969 “How come you always find the time to do X, Y and Z while I am here doing all of this?”
He responds with “What’s stopping you? Did you ask me to help you? Did you tell me you wanted to go somewhere else? Why didn’t you just do it?”
I am usually the main person holding me back.
Are you always complaining about doing too much? Maybe you need to make a schedule and carve out time for yourself? Are you angry at your partner for always getting to do what he wants? Well, what’s stopping you from doing some things that you want to do? Stop blaming your situation and start making time for yourself.
Take a tip from the First Lady and learn to live…..you’ll be much happier in the long run and so will everyone else around you.
Yeah Bruh! Mr. 1969 sounds just like me!
Women are nurturers, so it’s almost organic to consider those you love before yourself. But taking that time away is oh-so-crucial. And the added benefit is we men can’t WAIT for you to come back home. Separation does indeed make the heart grow fonder, even if it’s just a night out with your girls.
Agreed. When we first got married, we lived in Mr. 1969′s hometown. I used to complain everytime he hung out with his friends. Was I mad he was hanging out? No. I was mad that I didn’t have any friends of my own close by. I ended up joining a gym, hooking up with my sorors in the area and I made lots of friends. Whenever he wanted to hang out and have fellas time, I would meet up with one of my friends and go shopping or hit up a movie.
Instantly, the problem went away.
You have to get that “me time”. If you don’t take care of yourself first, you can’t take care of anyone else.
I like that she said she put herself high on the list too.
For the record…I never plan it…I let me youthful vigor and amazing responsibility dodging abilities take over…then I have to rely on the creativity of a true procrastinator later…but it’s well worth it.
I learned that lesson the hard way.. Now I MAKE time for myself.. even when it seems like I didn’t have a moment left in the day
The First Lady is on point with that statement. I learned a longggg time ago to put Phillygyrl first!!! Its kinda hard at times but you have to remind yourself that YOU come FIRST too!!!
That is a SERIOUS ~side-eye~ I agree with you. We women compromise our wants so often it seems second-nature. Good reminder that we need to take care of ourselves, too!
I still get annoyed when I hear people say the husbands are babysitting. WTF??
My mama used to go and do her thang and leave me with Daddy. My hair might be uncombed and my outfit didn’t always match but according to her: “You were alive and in one piece so I had to learn to hold my tongue about some things.” I guess that’s why they’ve been married for 39 years.
LOL Mr 1969 is alright with me, even though I know those comments would hurt at first but would only make one better about doing things just because.
Go head Mr. 1969. Yall know my motto. I do what I want.