Self-Care Blog
Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I am an Alumna of Wayne State University, I have a Bachelors of Social Work degree. I’ve been best described as fun, empathetic/caring, loving, giving, and a survivor.
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written a blog post, and let me tell you, life has been a whirlwind lately. Between being back at work, still being in grad school, and mothering a busy 1-year-old, I’m surprised I have time to brush my teeth, let alone write a blog.
For all of you out there who can relate to my situation, I feel you. It’s not easy juggling multiple responsibilities, but with a little bit of perseverance and some helpful tips, we can make it work.
So, here are some purposeful pieces of advice for anyone who’s trying to balance work, school, and parenting.
First and foremost, don’t be too hard on yourself. We all have moments where we feel like we’re not doing enough, but the truth is, we’re doing the best we can. So, cut yourself some slack, and remember that you’re doing an amazing job.
Secondly, prioritize your tasks. As tempting as it is to try to do everything at once, it’s just not realistic. Make a to-do list, and focus on the most important tasks first. Whether it’s finishing a project at work, completing an assignment for school, or spending quality time with your little one, make sure you’re giving each task the attention it deserves.
Thirdly, try to be as efficient as possible with your time. When your little one is napping or playing independently, use that time to get work done or study for an exam. And, when you’re at work or in class, try to be fully present and focus on the task at hand.
Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself. It’s easy to put your own needs on the back burner when you have so much going on, but self-care is essential. Take a bubble bath, read a book, or do something else that brings you joy. And, when things get overwhelming, remember to take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’re capable of handling anything that comes your way.
In conclusion, life is chaotic, and balancing work, school, and parenting can feel like an uphill battle. But, with a little bit of organization, efficiency, and self-care, we can make it through. And, when all else fails, just remember to laugh – after all, laughter is the best medicine!
Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being that should not be overlooked. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health, and it is something that everyone should prioritize.
There are many ways to support and maintain good mental health, including:
It is important to remember that it is okay to not feel okay all the time, and it is normal to experience ups and downs in life. If you are struggling with your mental health, it is important to seek help and support. There are many resources available to support mental health, such as therapy, support groups, and medication. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help – it is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Remember, taking care of your mental health is an ongoing process, and it is important to make it a priority in your life. I’M FOREVER ROOTING FOR YOU!
Sharing your story or circumstances can be a powerful and transformative experience. It can help you to connect with others, gain perspective, and find meaning and purpose in your experiences.
One of the main benefits of sharing your story is the opportunity it provides to connect with others. By sharing your experiences, you can find others who have gone through similar situations and build a sense of community and support. This can be especially helpful if you are going through a difficult time or feeling isolated.
Sharing your story can also help you to gain perspective on your experiences. By verbalizing your thoughts and feelings, you can better understand and process them, which can lead to increased self-awareness and personal growth.
In addition, sharing your story can be a way to find meaning and purpose in your experiences. By sharing your struggles and triumphs with others, you can inspire and help others who may be going through similar situations. This can bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose to your life.
It’s important to remember that sharing your story is a personal choice and not everyone may feel comfortable doing so. It’s okay to take your time and only share your story when you feel ready. It’s also important to be mindful of your own boundaries and to only share as much as you are comfortable with.
In conclusion, sharing your story or circumstances can be a powerful and transformative experience. It can help you to connect with others, gain perspective, and find meaning and purpose in your experiences. While it’s a personal choice and not everyone may feel comfortable sharing, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for those who do. I’M FOREVER ROOTING FOR YOU!
The concept of living in the present moment, often referred to as mindfulness or being present, has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. But what does it really mean to be present, and why is it so important?
Being present means fully engaging with and paying attention to the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It involves letting go of distractions and fully immersing ourselves in the task at hand, whether it be a conversation with a friend, a work project, or even a simple task like taking a walk or cooking a meal.
But why is being present so important? There are many benefits to living in the present moment, both for our mental and physical well-being.
For one, it can help reduce stress and anxiety. When we worry about the past or future, we often create unnecessary stress for ourselves. By focusing on the present moment, we can let go of those worries and find a sense of peace and calm.
Being present can also improve our relationships. When we are fully present with others, we are able to listen and communicate more effectively, which can deepen our connections and improve the overall quality of our relationships.
Additionally, being present can increase our productivity and focus. When we are fully engaged in a task, we are able to give it our full attention and effort, resulting in better quality work.
In short, being present in the now is important because it allows us to fully engage with and appreciate the present moment, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. It takes practice to cultivate a habit of being present, but the benefits are well worth the effort. I AM FOREVER ROOTING FOR YOU!
Motherhood is a journey filled with joys and pains, but ultimately it is a rewarding experience that brings great fulfillment to a woman’s life.
One of the greatest joys of motherhood is the bond that is formed with a child. From the moment a child is born, a mother’s love and protection instincts kick in and she becomes fiercely devoted to her child. This bond only grows stronger as the child grows and develops, and there is nothing quite like the love between a mother and her child.
Another joy of motherhood is watching a child grow and develop. It is amazing to see how much a child can change and grow in just a few short years, and as a mother, it is an honor to be a part of that process. From a child’s first steps and words to their accomplishments in school and extracurricular activities, being a mother allows a woman to watch her child grow and succeed in life.
However, motherhood is not without its pains. One of the biggest challenges of motherhood is finding the balance between taking care of a child and taking care of oneself. It can be easy to get caught up in the demands of motherhood and neglect one’s own needs, leading to feelings of exhaustion and burnout. It is important for mothers to remember to take care of themselves and prioritize self-care in order to be able to fully show up for their children.
Another pain of motherhood is the feeling of guilt that often comes with it. Many mothers struggle with the guilt of not being able to do it all or feeling like they are not doing a good job. It is important for mothers to remember that it is impossible to be perfect and that they are doing their best. It is also important to seek support from friends, family, and other mothers to help alleviate this guilt and feel less alone in the journey of motherhood.
Overall, motherhood is a journey filled with joys and pains, but it is a journey that is worth taking. The love and bond that is formed with a child, the joy of watching them grow and develop, and the fulfillment that comes with being a mother make it all worth it. While it can be challenging at times, the rewards of motherhood are immeasurable and make it an experience that every woman should cherish.
Why You Should Never Give Up
There will be times in life when things get tough and it feels like the easiest option is to throw in the towel and give up. But the truth is, giving up is the worst thing you can do. It might seem easier in the short term, but in the long run, it will only hold you back and prevent you from achieving your goals. Here are a few reasons why you should never give up:
If you give up on something, you will always wonder “what if?” and regret not giving it your all. It’s better to try and fail than to never try at all.
By giving up, you are closing the door on potential opportunities that may have come your way. You never know what could have happened if you had just kept going.
When you give up, it can be easy to lose confidence in yourself and your abilities. But by persevering through challenges and setbacks, you will build resilience and become more confident in your ability to overcome obstacles.
Challenges and setbacks are a natural part of life, and it’s through overcoming these challenges that we grow and learn. By giving up, you are missing out on the opportunity to learn and grow as a person.
Of course, the most obvious reason not to give up is that you will miss out on reaching your goals. Whether it’s a personal goal or a professional one, giving up means you will never achieve what you set out to do.In conclusion, there will be times when things get tough and it feels like giving up is the only option. But it’s important to remember that giving up is not a solution. It will only hold you back and prevent you from achieving your goals. So don’t give up – keep pushing forward and you will eventually reach your destination. REMEMBER: I’M FOREVER ROOTING FOR YOU!
For the last 6 years I’ve battled with a lot; Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/pain crises; chronic pain in my hips and shoulders. I’m in remission from leukemia and now have two total hip replacements and no longer battle pain in those areas. I currently deal with chronic pain in my shoulders from side effects of chemo treatments. I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis, which is “the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply”. It can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and cause the bone to collapse. That’s what occurred within my hip bones.
Certain daily tasks are sometimes a challenge:
-carrying my growing baby boy
-holding his bottle to feed him
-rocking him to sleep
-burping him after feedings
-folding laundry
-cooking
-showering
I’m grateful the pain isn’t constant, but when it’s occurring it does affect things. I’m grateful that my partner is an entrepreneur and we’re home together most of the time. So when my pain is active I make sure I ask for things I need and specific things around how he can help me with our baby boy for the day. At times, I’ll feed him and I’ll have my partner burp him because doing both sometimes is too much.
This post isn’t to just get my daily life experiences off my chest, but a chance to encourage another Mommy. I want you to know that you’re not alone in your daily battles; there’s so many other Mommies going through the same thing.
If you’re a Mom that battles with chronic pain I hope the following tips help you:
If you’re a Mommy that deals with chronic pain and needs someone to talk to, I’m here! I’m also an open book; I’ll answer any questions and share anything I feel will help you. Feel free to email me: talkswithdemi19@gmail.com.
REMEMBER: DEMI IS FOREVER ROOTING FOR YOU!
What does “having faith” mean to you? It is trust, assurance and confidence in God. There are times in life when you have to operate in faith in order to get to the next chapter in life. Those times can be the scariest and hardest point in life. The last 3 months I’ve found myself in a season that has been scary!!! I’ve been in another chapter of my spiritual walk; where I found myself seeking for answers on what’s next for me. I’ve never been in the state I was in, where I was unaware of what was next for me. I am a planner and I’ve been in a state with no direction at all! I still don’t know what’s next for me, but I did know I had decisions to make about my current state. I knew “obedience” of some of the clarity I had needed to be done.
In order to get to where you’re supposed to, you have to:
-make whatever decision God is telling you to make, despite being scared
-be still and be patient
-trust that you’re getting prepared for what’s next
Yes, it is scary to step out on faith and it will be struggling that occurs, but reward will come! Once you’re obedient and operate in faith the things you were worried about will be resolved because of your faithfulness. I am thankful for this journey I am on because I know God will get all of the glory for what’s next in my life. I’m writing this to encourage the person who’s been going back and forth with themselves about making a decision they know they have to make. Trust God and watch Him blow your mind in the end; I’m looking forward to the doors that are assigned to my life that will open!
DEMI IS FOREVER ROOTING FOR YOU!
Week after week I am getting closer and closer at being a mother. This is giving me a lot of moments of reflection literally each and every day. I believe wholeheartedly there’s no such thing as being a perfect parent, but there’s such a thing as being an intentional parent. I haven’t gotten my feet wet with this parenting thing yet, but I do know I will strive to be an intentional parent.
When it comes to raising a beautiful black boy in this world everything his father and I will teach him will be intentional. I want my son to be prepared in every aspect of life and even when the mistakes arise he knows how to come back from them.
One’s child doesn’t deserve to only be cared for financially; because this is not the only thing that’s important to a child’s development.
A child deserves to have a “healed” parent; when you become a parent you are responsible for a whole human. I believe it’s much harder to parent when you’re not whole within. I can’t imagine preparing to raise my son without feeling whole, having my basic needs met, and being in a great space peacefully.
Even if you’ve made some mistakes while parenting, you can still learn from those choices. If any of those choices hurt your child, be willing to address those things with your child. The main reason why is to ensure there’s no damage done and/or to apologize for what has affected them.
When a whole parent is present, there will be some fundamental development that will be instilled:
-Safety and Survival
-Understanding and Growth
-Connection (love) and Acceptance
-Esteem and Identity
-Self-Direction, Freedom, and Justice
-Self-Fulfillment
Other Things Every Child Deserves:
-Basic Needs: Food, Shelter, and Clothing
-Security
-Stability/Structure
-Emotional Support
-Love/Happiness
-Consistency
-Education
-Positive Role Models
Remember on the road to parenting a healthy and happy you will only bring a healthy and happy parent! I AM ALWAYS ROOTING FOR YOU; I HOPE YOU’RE ROOTING FOR ME AS WELL!
Most of us are or have been in a place where we blame everyone, BUT the person we really need to blame! It seems like everything continues to go wrong and we can’t see the real cause behind what’s going on and why. Sometimes we need to take a look in the mirror instead of blaming everyone around us on why things aren’t going the way we want them to go.
NO ONE IS TO BLAME…BUT…YOU!!!! When you get that statement in your head you’ll be better off. The reason you will be better off is because once you understand it starts with you, then you can discover what you can do to change whatever state your life is in.
The reality is that the state our life is in has a lot to do with the “choices” we decide to make. We even doubt certain choices, but still pursue them and the outcome we already predicted is what happens. Choices that we knew we shouldn’t have indulged in. It’s a difference when you bump your head and take ownership in the action, but you should not blame other people for where your choices landed you.
I ran across an article titled, “Take Ownership by Taking Responsibility” by Frank Sonnenberg. In this article Frank listed some statements when you own your life what you’re choosing to do. I will share a few below:
Sometimes knowing that the “fun” things won’t give you the results you need for success, but may dig you into a deeper hole. You control the choices you make; begin to make more throughout ones and watch how your life shifts in a better direction.
Start doing the necessary work to turn your life around because ONLY YOU can bring about change! REMEMBER, DEMI IS ALWAYS ROOTING FOR YOU!
