What My Chipped Nails Revealed About Motherhood

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I always knew that motherhood wouldn’t come with a manual. With all the late nights spent comforting a feverish child or helping my kids navigate the heartache of losing a cherished pet, I strive to absorb the emotional weight so my little ones can feel a bit lighter. So, it caught me completely off guard when I found myself in tears just the other day.

Life had been chaotic at home lately. My mornings kick off before 5 a.m., and they’re a whirlwind of laundry, dirty dishes from the previous night, packing lunches, and preparing breakfast—all while wrestling my kids into their clothes. Once I send one off to school and get the other ready for a day with Grandma, I scramble to tidy up the kitchen, switch out laundry, and somehow manage to get myself dressed and out the door for work. I often find myself running late, forgetting essentials like my lunch or even my phone charger. Just a typical morning, right?

But on this particular morning, I glanced at my nails—and let’s be honest, I’m not exactly a “girly” type. My chipped purple polish, ragged cuticles, and dry skin struck a nerve. It was such a trivial thing, but it sent me into a sobbing fit.

After a few deep breaths and a good cry, it dawned on me: I had been so caught up in making my kids happy, supporting my husband, and keeping our household afloat that I hadn’t noticed how much I had neglected myself.

How did I let something as trivial as chipped nail polish push me over the edge? Motherhood is undeniably tough. Each day, I do my best to be the mom my kids deserve. Most days, I settle for “good enough” and hope my little ones don’t catch on to my blunders.

As a working mom, the expectation is that I’m always “on.” Every aspect of my life seems to converge into a balancing act, where I juggle bills, meals, chores, and the emotional well-being of my family. The chipped polish became a silent reminder from the universe: I need to pause, take a breath, and prioritize some “me time.” And I don’t mean just the basics like sleeping or enjoying a hot cup of coffee. I needed to do something that genuinely brought me joy.

The tears I shed may have been unexpected, but they were long overdue. It’s like that airplane safety tip—put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting others. I realized I hadn’t been giving myself any oxygen at all.

Eventually, I decided to leave the chipped polish for a few more days as a little reminder on my fingers. I knew I needed to carve out some time for myself. One evening, after the kids were finally asleep, I removed the polish, filled the tub with hot water and bubbles, and soaked in silence for an hour. The warmth eased my weary muscles, and the stillness calmed my mind. It was the most rejuvenating experience I’d had in months, and I promised myself not to wait that long again to give myself some grace.

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In summary, sometimes it takes a small reminder, like chipped nail polish, to help us realize the importance of self-care amidst the whirlwind of motherhood. We can’t pour from an empty cup, and taking a moment for ourselves isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity.