As I racked my brain about what to share with you this week, it dawned on me that every topic that I came up with was somehow related to me.
Now, this isn’t particularly shocking news, as this IS my blog. However, there comes a point in every blogger’s career that you go from giggling at your own jokes to groaning at them.
Generally, this is a good sign that you have at least an ounce or two of non-narcissistic blood in your body. But, it also makes blogging a little difficult. How does one write about herself without actually writing about herself? Well, she doesn’t. (It is no coincidence that there is an “I” in blogging, after all!) Realizing this, I decided to embrace the topic full on. (In the words of Yosemite Sam, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”) So, today’s subject is “me” or if you’d prefer “self-centered pregnant woman.”
We all know that in the world of all things good and kind, being self-centered ranks right up there with stealing candy from babies and kicking puppies. In the world of normal people, it’s not a label you want to admit, let alone embrace. But, in the past few months, I have come to realize that in the world of pregnant people, this may not be the case.
When a woman is with child, it is the one and only time in her life that she is entitled—obligated, even—to put her well-being at the top of the charts. Of course, this is because, in so doing, she is often putting the well-being of the baby first. Her physical and emotional well-being is of the utmost importance to the developing little person inside her and she must adjust her lifestyle with that in mind.
In many cases—including my own—putting your well-being first means recognizing what your body can and can’t handle and reacting accordingly. I have discovered that this often means saying “No” much more than you’re used to or you’d like.
During the first months of my pregnancy, I used that two letter word a lot. I declined most invitations to venture into the outside world. (In short, I became a pregnant hermit). And, as a result, I usually felt guilty.
But, now, well into my third trimester, I embrace the fact that when my body says, “No,” it means that I should, too. Whether it’s taking on an additional work assignment, attending a church event, hanging out with friends or family or just agreeing to walk around the mall with my husband, there are times when enough is enough and too much is, well, just that.
Less than five weeks from now, “selfless” and “tireless” will be the name of the game forever. So, for now, I’m taking cues from my body and giving it the rest it needs. And, I’m not feeling the slightest bit guilty about it. Does that qualify me as self-centered? Probably, but I think it makes me a little bit smart, too.
