Home Decor

Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish

Jessica Crawford
Cotton & Co.

(9/2021) It’s that time of year, where Maryland doesn’t quite know if it wants to still be Summer or if it’s ready to transition into Autumn. We’ve endured some pretty intense Summer days, and also embraced some cool Fall-like mornings. There are subtle hints of the earliest of the leaves beginning to change colors, ready to welcome the changing seasons here in short order. However, no matter the season we’re entering and exiting, it’s universally back-to-school time. Some entered the classrooms early this year, some still have back-to-school on the horizon.

If you’re anything like the mom that I am, or know any that are, I’m looking forward to back-to-school for my little ones this year, for a variety of reasons. My children were home last year, as were many of their peers. They’ve missed interaction between their friends tremendously, and for that, I’m grateful that our children are returning in-person to school this year. And I’m manifesting all the positivity that I can that our schools will remain open, as we all navigate and protect ourselves from the next wave of whatever this pandemic throws our way.

But I’d also be lying if I weren’t also grateful for the opportunity to get my own two feet back on the ground, my head back on straight and putting a little more normalcy and routine back in our lives for the first time since last March. I have greatly enjoyed and treasured this extended time with my children, at school-ages where under normal circumstances, we would have been apart for the better part of five days a week. However, that being said, it’s been a challenge juggling all of the hats of being a working-parent, homeschool mom, business owner, wife, caretaker and meal prepper, driver to all places, housekeeper, and managing all of the other duties of being the parent navigating their way through the ever-changing world of parenting during a pandemic. It’s been a wild ride. And I know so many of you share the same sentiments. Lots of gratefulness but also lost of grief, frustration and sacrifice too.

So where do we go from here? One of my first promises and goals to myself, once my children enter school again at the beginning of September is to focus a little more on my own self-care. That’s a buzzword that we hear so much about these days, but are you actually embracing it and engaging in it? I think we can all agree, that this 2020-2021 saga has allowed us the opportunity to evaluate our lives from an entirely new perspective. To sit back and really think about the things in our lives that bring us joy and those that don’t. The time we spend and how we spend it. And I hope this is a lesson we hold onto.

We live in a society that glorifies exhaustion. If you aren’t exhausted, stressed and over-worked, you aren’t working hard enough. And that is exhausting in and of itself. How can you be your best self, parent, partner, friend, coworker, employee, family member, sibling, etc… if you are perpetually exhausted and over-extended? I had this Epiphone this year, that I’m going to challenge the American standard, and not guilt myself about taking time for myself. To be the better version of myself for my family and friends and for the business that I own and operate.

My store is a team of women, surrounded by wonderful supportive partners of their own, that work very hard to juggle their personal and work lives. And many of them feel the same way. As we enter back-to-school season, I encourage all of you that have felt overwhelmed in one way or another, to take time to give back to yourselves a little. To take time while the littles are at school, and find a few moments to invest in yourselves.

I look at the shop, and the items we sell and the businesses we promote and I see self-care everywhere. I know I personally intend to pick back up on the home improvement projects that took a back-seat or pause during the last eighteen months, and finish them. To make these parts of my home, feel like home. I’ve jokingly told customers this year, ‘if there’s one thing I’ve learned this year, is that sometimes you just need to treat yourself.’ But seriously. Do it! We’ve earned it. Treat yourself. Treat yourself to that new piece of furniture that will tie the room together. Go wild and paint something. Take a space in your home that’s been needing a little TLC and make it happen.

We also support several local, small, woman-owned businesses that hand-create products to let you indulge in yourself. In need of some serious stress relief? Taking a long hot bath should be on your short list. We have local handmade soy candles, beauty products and bath bombs. Feeling a night out? We have a ton of trendy and classic clothing and accessories in-store. In the mood to treat yourself to something tasty? Whip up a gorgeous and delicious charcuterie board with one of our locally designed charcuterie boards and local tasty treats, available in our Maryland General Store.

This past year and a half, has been a decade. At the very least. I challenge and encourage all of you, to take time to indulge and invest in yourselves a little. Taking time for you, doesn’t make you selfish. Despite what our society dictates. It allows you to become the better version of yourself. Pick a new hobby, treat yourself occasionally, go to brunch with a friend, get your nails done or do an at-home-spa night (we have stuff for that too!). And if you’re one of our many educators, allowing us time, and graciously teaching our children, join us for one of our Ladies Nights! We all need time to unwind.

Our friendly staff is always willing to help and offer product advice and insight. Let us help! Stop by the shop and see us, we’re open weekly, Friday-Sunday, 900 Francis Scott Key Hwy Keymar.