Self-care: Who’s There For You
Self-care isn’t something most of us practice with ease!
Chances are you are the type of FATHER that always puts their kids and family first!
You forget about yourself while always trying to make sure those around you are good! That’s what makes you such a DOPE FATHER to begin with.
However; who’s there for you?
Who’s there when you need a helping hand or simply someone to talk to?
That’s when things get tricky.
Practicing Self Care- realizing you need to do it more often
The latter half of 2021 tested me like no other. We had multiple deaths in the family and then my own father was hospitalized for a few months.
All of those things happened within a few months and along with fighting covid and raising kids… man it was hard!
What made it harder was that I felt like I had no one to rely on besides my wife and kids. I kept waiting for someone to ask me how things were going but no one did.
However; how could anyone help if we always keep everything in? That’s probably the 1st course of action in regards to self-care, being able to be transparent with the people you love.
I’m not that great at that, I’ll be the 1st to admit it. Let’s consider that part a work in progress.
Self-Care: You Are Not Alone
It’s crazy because I was waiting for my “friends” to reach out and help me but in reality, I had a whole community at my disposal.
That community comes in the form of the At Home Dads Network. I’m a huge proponent for dad groups, and this time around, their event gave me everything I didn’t know I needed at the time.
I took a 4 day trip to Cincinnati for their yearly conference and came back full of energy. I was surrounded by other fathers that devoted their lives to their kids but also knew how important it was to have each other’s back!
That one 4-day trip reminded me that I wasn’t alone, I just acted that way! They not only woke me up to this, but they also made me feel like family as we laughed about the journey we take as fathers.
They were my brothers, my team, my confidants, and even though it started as a 4-day thing, they made me realize that they were always there. I just had to look and actually use them.
Self-Care: The Podcast
My trip to Cincinnati was a way for me to escape reality for a few days but it turned into a huge reminder of why we fathers need to take time to care for ourselves.
Not only take time for themselves but to also take the time to double down on the things they love or even try new things.
That’s how the fellas at the At Home Dad Conference had me living. The community of dads there didn’t look like me but they made me feel like I knew them forever.
Not only did they welcome me with open arms, throughout the 4 days our activities together reinforced why we dads need to do more in regards to SELF-CARE.
This podcast is dedicated to that weekend, how we need to open up to people, why we aren’t alone in this fatherhood world, and how we practice self-care differently.
If you are like me, you don’t take care of yourself as much as YOU SHOULD.
Self-care wasn’t a thing I cared about in the past, as I get older it will be something I focus more on.
I hope this episode encourages you to take care of your kids’ most valuable asset, YOURSELF!
We matter fells, take care of yourself, it’s never a soft thing to do.
Hear more on Episode 93 below or on all major platforms like APPLE, SPOTIFY, and STITCHER.
Remember to subscribe and give us a 5 Star rating for the #FatherhoodIsLit Podcast on all major platforms like APPLE, SPOTIFY, and STITCHER!
Want to help another dad? Shoot us a message with your tips. Email at james@cool4dads.com or dm me on Instagram at @FatherhoodIsLit
#FatherhoodIsLit
