letter from publisher

Celebrating Divinely Messy You

My kids and I are just back from spring break, and I’m feeling overwhelmed. We had a great time, but now it’s back to reality, and I have much to catch up on. Current events and personal happenings add to the mix. As a result, I can identify with this month’s Inspiration article, “The Divine Messiness of Motherhood,” in which Marlaina Donato writes, “It’s okay to not be okay. Society tends to impose unnecessary guilt upon mothers for voicing what most parents feel at one time or another. Feelings are human, and so too is being overwhelmed.”

“Unnecessary guilt” is hitting me now—but so is the realization that self-care and gentleness with myself are what I need. I’m happy to recognize that, as there was a time when I did not and wasn’t gentle with myself.

The article goes on to list a few things you can do to be good to yourself. I have two more ideas to share:

• A hot bath with Epsom salt—lights out, with a candle lit. And perhaps a glass of wine.

• Cathartic cooking, if you’re up for it. I love making a dish that uses up most of our produce that’s about to expire. I find this particularly rewarding even when it doesn’t go over well with my kids. (They’ll complain about chopped sautéed broccoli in macaroni and cheese, for example, and I’m just happy I used that broccoli!)

It’s important to find ideas that really resonate with you. The act of doing so is a gift to yourself—proof that you’re serious about self-care.

Wishing you a happy Mother’s Day and a month of gentleness with yourself,

Shannon