As a mom when we lose someone we love missing them can happen when were not expecting it. Which has been happening a lot for me this week with Suzzane. As I was sitting at my desk the other day my mind turned to Suzzane and some of the things we used to do.

Including painting her nails and watching her paint her toes sometimes. I know that isn’t much but I miss those times. I almost could hear Suzzane and my mom saying self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to do something for yourself you deserve it.

As I thought about this I kept telling myself it didn’t mean I would need to spend a lot of money, make an appointment, or take an entire day for yourself. Sometimes self-care is simply sitting down, picking out a pretty nail polish, and painting your nails. Which I haven’t done since Charlie was very little.

I remember when I used to watch my mom and sister paint there nails with Suzzane how they would relax. Then would end up laughing and talking. The more I thought about those times I knew I wanted to recreate those memories.

I decided this week I would paint my nails because it would gives me a few quiet minutes to slow down, focus on something simple, and do a little something just for myself. David and I was in Family Dollar the other day.

While he went and got what he needed I decided to walk down the Beauty Aisle because I like looking at the new products. I stopped at the nail polish where I saw L.A. Colors Gel-like Shine Nail Polish. As I looked at the nail polishes I felt like Suzzane and my mom was with me.

I found myself reaching for the pinks and lavenders. Those are the kinds of colors that make me smile because both Charie and Suzzane like light pinks and we all love lavender. David walked up beside me and asked me what I was doing.

I said I was thinking about painting my nails. He didn’t even ask me why. He reached for the two polishes I was looking at and put them in the buggy because he knew I was not only missing Suzzane but my mom two. And honestly, sometimes that’s all you need.

As we walked to the car David said I know a little color or sign can change your mind and how you feel. I hope this makes you feel better. I haven’t used the nail polishes yet and I’m not sure when I will but I wanted to remind you there is something relaxing about painting your nails that feels like a tiny reset. Would you like to come paint your nails with me?

We can be having a busy day. We can have a house that needs cleaning, emails waiting for us, laundry that needs folding, and a dozen other things on our mind. But for a few minutes, we can push all that aside and we can sit down and paint our nails. One hand. Then the other. Then we can sit and let them dry. And suddenly I’ve done something for myself. It may seem like a very small thing, but small things count.

I especially loved having both pink and lavender shade of nail polish to choose from. Pink feels cheerful and feminine without needing a special occasion. Plus, it is Suzzane and Charlie’s favorite color. Lavender feels soft and calming and it is my favorite color.

Both are colors I can look at and enjoy without thinking I need somewhere special to wear them which I like. Sometimes I think we get so caught up in taking care of everyone else that we forget how nice it feels to simply enjoy something pretty.

Nail polish doesn’t have to be practical and it doesn’t have to accomplish anything. It can just make you happy. Again I wanted to remind you self-care doesn’t have to be expensive we just have to make the time to do it.

For me personally I’ve learned that self-care can look very different depending on the season of life you’re in. Sometimes it might be going out for breakfast. Sometimes it might be reading a book. Sometimes it might be watching one of your favorite shows. And sometimes it really is just painting your nails.

For me a bottle of nail polish can turn an ordinary afternoon into a few minutes that feel a little more special. I don’t need a perfect manicure and I don’t need to be an expert. I don’t even need to have somewhere to go. I can paint my nails because I want to. I don’t have to explain why I did it to anyone.

As women, moms, wives, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and friends, we spend so much of our time thinking about everybody else. There is nothing wrong with taking a few minutes for yourself. And if painting your nails makes you smile, then paint your nails.

If you like pink, wear pink. If lavender makes you happy, choose lavender. If you like red nails like my mom used red. If you want to try a new color just because you’ve never worn it before, go for it. It’s okay to choose a color that makes you happy.

Self-care doesn’t always have to be some big event. Sometimes it’s just sitting at the kitchen table with a bottle of nail polish and remembering that you deserve a little bit of pretty, too. So the next time you feel like you need a little pick-me-up, don’t underestimate the simple things. Sometimes self-care is just painting your nails.

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates