Self-Care Weekend Reflections: Cream Puffs, Candlelight, and Connection
The holiday recovery is real. This weekend, I found myself trying to balance the chaos of catching up on work, family errands, and stolen moments of self-care. While I missed my Stillness Saturday, Self-Care Sunday gave me some clarity and appreciation for the pockets of joy I managed to create amidst the busyness. Let me share a little about the journey.
Yesterday, my teenage daughter decided to take on a baking challenge: raspberry lemon curd cream puffs. Armed with a "professional" apron from her grandparents and a cookbook gifted by her aunt, she was ready. Me? Not so much. My daughter doesn’t share my habit of thoroughly reading recipes before diving in. Let’s just say these cream puffs were a labor of love.
After a morning of swim practice—three hours of laps and weightlifting—my daughter was still energized to shop for ingredients and tackle this intricate dessert. I, on the other hand, started my day with a coffee and the most heavenly banana walnut muffin from Goldie’s Donuts. By mid-afternoon, I managed a blissful 45-minute walk in unseasonably warm weather, savoring fresh air and pure alone time. That moment was my self-care highlight.
But back to the cream puffs. The process stretched late into the evening, with cream that needed to set, baked puffs that required cooling, and steps that seemed endless. As I hauled the heavy KitchenAid mixer from the basement and washed dishes in between, I reminded myself: this is about making memories. Nobody baked with me when I was her age. Watching her focus, her “locked-in” determination, I knew supporting my daughter mattered more than my longing for pajamas and a second viewing of Love Actually.
We didn’t take our first bite until nearly 10 PM. Were they worth it? Absolutely. The pride in her smile made every effort worthwhile.
Today, I shifted gears. Self-care took the form of productivity: running errands for work, dropping off supplies, and preparing for a less harried Monday. There’s a kind of calm in ticking things off a list.
Meanwhile, my high school daughter—who works part-time as a swim coach on Sundays—headed to her job for a full day, followed by an evening holiday party complete with water games and races. Her energy astounds me. She spends all day in the pool and still chooses to socialize. I admire her zest for life, even as I’m mildly envious of her stamina.
This year, I chose not to host a holiday party for my staff. Costs have risen, and as a small business owner, I needed to prioritize responsibly. While I feel a twinge of guilt, I’m comforted knowing that I regularly show my appreciation throughout the year—staff breakfasts, pizza lunches, and even fun spin-the-wheel giveaways. They’ve created their own holiday cheer with karaoke nights and winter festivals, and I’m proud of the culture we’ve built together.
As I write this, I’m sitting in the parking lot, waiting to pick up my daughter after her party. Reflecting on the weekend, I see the threads of connection, effort, and care that wove it all together. From setting up a digital photo frame for my in-laws (with no tech hiccups—a miracle worth celebrating) to gifting my husband five pairs of sunglasses (he’s notorious for losing them), I’ve realized that my joy often comes from doing for others. But as Maya Angelou so wisely said:
You may not control all the events that happen to you,
but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
Her words resonated deeply with me this weekend. Even when exhaustion crept in, even when the demands of work and family felt overwhelming, I chose to find joy. I chose to rise above and savor those moments of connection and care—both for others and myself.
I’m learning, though, that I need to do more for myself. It’s easy to let work consume me, to keep pushing without pause. But this weekend reminded me that even small moments—a warm muffin, a quiet walk, the glow of a candle—can be deeply restorative.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the adventures I’m planning with my family. With my kids getting older, I’m determined to make the most of our time together: concerts, college tours, and visits with cousins we haven’t seen in years. Andy Grammer, Coldplay, Goo Goo Dolls—our 2025 concert bucket list is growing, and I can’t wait. Andra Day’s “Rise Up” has been my anthem of the day, inspiring me to meet challenges with resilience and hope.
So here’s to finding balance. To embracing both the chaos and the calm. To savoring cream puffs at 10 PM and moments of stillness whenever we can find them. And to filling the blank pages of 2025 with intention, joy, and care—for others and ourselves.
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