Making an appointment for a massage feels monumental for me; it’s a rare occasion, happening only a couple of times a year. Carving out time for myself proves to be quite the challenge. I often find myself thinking I can’t indulge in ‘me time’ unless everything is perfectly aligned: low-stress moments, completed projects, and an overall sense that all is well in my world. I tend to restrict breaks as if they were rewards, given only when life is running smoothly. But let’s be honest—circumstances are hardly ever perfect. There’s always something nagging at me.
That stress manifests physically, and I’m sure everyone recognizes how and where they carry their tension. My massage therapists, though different each time, quickly zero in on my “knot”: upper back, right shoulder—without fail. As soon as they find it, I can’t help but name it for them. “Oh, that’s just my ‘You Still Haven’t Completed That Work Project’ knot,” or my “You’re Not a Good Enough Parent” knot, or even my “You’ve Been Snacking Way Too Much” knot.
No matter what I call it, that knot is definitely not a friend. Each therapist takes it upon themselves to conquer my knot, as if it’s a personal mission to dissolve it. “Take down the enemy!” they must think. But can we ever truly escape that knot, that constant reminder of our stress? I doubt it. Even when they work on it, there’s pain involved. Every rub feels like pressing on a bruise or an open wound.
And then comes that moment after the 50 or 60 minutes when the therapist says, “I’ll be right outside while you get dressed. Take your time.” It would be more genuine if she just said, “As you get dressed, don’t forget all the worries you forgot during your massage.” If only I could keep that stress at bay a little longer!
So how do I manage these “knots” in my life without a massage therapist on speed dial? Do I procrastinate to avoid confronting them? Guilty as charged. Do I try to wish my knots away? Yep, that’s me! Do I tackle some of these knots head-on before they become full-blown issues? Sometimes, but probably not with the fervor of a massage therapist.
It dawns on me that it’s not just massages I avoid, thinking I need to have everything in perfect order first. I don’t read for fun, binge-watch shows, or even allow myself to unwind after the kids are finally asleep. This isn’t good. It’s a serious problem. Somewhere along the line, I convinced myself that in order to treat myself with kindness and love, everything else must be in perfect harmony. What a farce! Life is always going to be chaotic, with stressors around every corner.
I wish to reach a point where I’m not so hard on myself, where I can tackle tasks with determination and not be so sensitive. If I dig deep enough, I realize I need to give myself some sound advice:
- The knots will always be there. Life is rarely simple, and I can’t just wish them away.
- Perseverance means living with my knots gracefully. Sometimes they’re here to stay, and I need to learn to set aside the tough stuff to make room for the fun stuff.
- And seriously, what could be more stress-relieving than doing something nice just for myself? It’s so obvious, right?
If a dedicated massage therapist is willing to challenge my knots, maybe I should be kind enough to learn how to manage them too—before they settle into my shoulders.
Looking for more insights? Check out some of our other posts about self-care and home insemination here. And if you’re interested in an authority on this topic, visit Make A Mom. For those navigating pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is excellent.
In summary, carving out time for self-care amidst life’s chaos is essential. Recognizing and addressing our emotional and physical knots can lead to a more balanced life, one where we stop waiting for everything to be perfect before we treat ourselves.