an empty bucket

I am having one of those days where I feel like my bucket is empty.

Where I feel like I have nothing left to give.

The kids have drained me, 

I feel exhausted from keeping up with the housework, 

I am having trouble keeping up with the bills and school notices, 

I am way behind on my emails, 

 I cannot keep enough food in the house, 

I am having trouble finding time for me this week, 

I feel like I am letting my friends down, 

I am not getting enough sleep, 

I am worn out, 

tired and exhausted.

My bucket is empty.

I am empty.

On days like this I let everything go.

My priority becomes to fill my bucket, to fill me.

I start with a good cry.

I pull myself together and start to plan.

I put myself first.

I plan in one thing that I know will uplift me.

Everything else can just wait.

I do that one thing just for me.

I do it if we need food, I do it if the kids are crying and want my attention.

I do it to survive.

I enjoy it, I savour it and I allow myself to feel it.

I smile for a moment and I count my blessings.

Then I get right back to taking care of my family.

That one thing that was just for me - fills my bucket.

It gives me the strength to keep going.

It gives me a bucket full enough for others to drain.

If you have days like this:

What do you do to fill up your bucket?