self-care.

Tonight, in my Women in Ministry class, we had a guest panel of five female pastors, poised and ready to take our questions.  Conversation ranged from fashion to humorous stories to boundaries in relationships.  Much of the conversation was helpful; some was not.  [If not here, then certainly on Steeples and Stilettos, further address of their take on fashion in ministry will be had.  I don’t consider myself much of a fashionista by any means, but I disagreed.)

One topic that was helpful was that of self-care.  I’ve heard about it, talked about it, and practiced it in many different ways in the past, but a firm refresher was … refreshing.  Namely, self-care is not selfish.  [Say that aloud.  Do you believe yourself?  You should!]  Allowing myself Lindsay time, finding the people I need to remain sane, and saying no are not bad practices.  In ministry, there is always more to be done.  If one really wanted to, a work week could easily consist of sixty hours.  (I’m pretty sure some of mine on internship did …)  That’s unhealthy and completely not cool.  [Not cool … one would think I would have a better way to describe it.  You don’t want to be uncool, do you?  That’s what I thought.]

Reflecting on last year, I think quilting was my self-care, or at least a large part of it.  I need to be busy; I hate being bored.  To break away from work, to focus on a project I enjoyed was what quilting helped me to do.  In honor of that hobby and the reminder I was given tonight, I came home from class (which ends at 9pm), said no to further homework, and am taking care of myself.  I fully intend on putting in a disc of Gilmore Girls and working on the binding of this flannel blankie with my glorious Fossil sewing kit.  Amen and goodnight.