Kitt O’Malley

Sometimes Taking a Bath is an Achievement

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Bath

Sometimes simply taking a bath is a major achievement. Not quite sure when I last bathed or showered – Friday, perhaps? I really can’t recall.

Yesterday I actually exercised. Yes, that’s right, I exercised. Worked out with weights, used a treadmill for a couple of minutes (very little), and used an elliptical for several minutes. Not a huge workout – not enough to work up a sweat. But today I can feel it in my glutes and pecs. (Don’t I sound like a gym rat? I just call them my ass and chest.)

Anyway, this morning, after taking my son to the school, handling email and updating social media, I took a bath. Then I managed to go grocery shopping. In the afternoon, I took my son to his allergist for an immunological work-up. We have a lab requisition for a long list of tests. Once the lab results are complete, we return to the allergist to see the results and take the next step. Got to get my boy healthier so he doesn’t miss as much school next year.

By the way… I’m absolutely exhausted. Just spent.

Comments

35 responses to “Sometimes Taking a Bath is an Achievement”

  1. Sometimes Taking a Bath is an Achievement | Chicago Escort News

    […] A version of this post was previously published on KittOMalley.com and is republished here with permission from the author. […]

  2. Too Tired to Write – Kitt O'Malley

    […] as well, and ended up hospitalized. I could only juggle so many roles. Recently I’ve been exhausted. Too involved in attending to my son’s health and educational needs to have any energy left […]

  3. jeanleesworld Avatar
    jeanleesworld

    I agree completely here. There are days when simply getting through what must be done is a seriously huge victory. When my sons were newborns, small things like cleaning up the books or doing laundry were major accomplishments. And until our children are old enough to become astronauts, we as parents have every right to continue categorizing our days this way.

  4. bipolarsojourner Avatar
    bipolarsojourner

    hopefully, we’ll help each other find a door or at least a window, so we can either move on or at least not have it be so dark.

  5. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Getting out of my own four walls is my next step, for sure.

  6. bipolarsojourner Avatar
    bipolarsojourner

    kitt,

    i honor you for your excellent self-care. I don’t know if you saw my recent post, self care-from snowflake to snowball. in my believe, the best way to recovery is through self-care. think of all the things that make you feel better about yourself and recharge you. those are the very things that stand the greatest chance of aiding in recovery. oh, and don’t forget the most important act of self care, recognizing your acts of self-care. if i don’t recognize the easy self-cares like a bath or a shower, i set myself up for failure on getting out of my own four walls where real self-care can begin.

  7. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    I know about the appointments. I get so sick of going to doctors’ appointments!

  8. wendy k williamson Avatar
    wendy k williamson

    Sounds like you had a stellar day! I am very poor about showering and baths? Sigh. I wish I took them…once in a blue moon when my body aches all over I will. You have inspired me, maybe tonight I will shower and tomorrow I will exercise! I should probably put allergist on my list, but that will take months….and months…. So many appointments already, ya know?

  9. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Well, best of luck in getting up onto it.

  10. Pieces of Bipolar Avatar
    Pieces of Bipolar

    Don’t worry… I still haven’t sat on the bicycle yet….

  11. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Do what you can. Simply being is enough.

  12. stockdalewolfe Avatar
    stockdalewolfe

    Here’s to little things that are huge hurdles! Been there, in fact, am there now. Good luck with your son. And hope you get some rest. Hugs, Ellen
    P.S. Bought your book and read your piece which was great. Wanted to read the other pieces so I could write a review but can’t do it right now. Reading very little. Writing nothing. Taking no pictures.

  13. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thanks!

  14. Frances D Avatar
    Frances D

    Sending good vibes your way!

  15. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Not just overcoming inertia – also breaking down something overwhelming into smaller steps. I have trouble with that. Everything for me connects to something else, and I find myself overwhelmed at the prospect of starting.

  16. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Sitting on the bicycle is a step in the right direction. Overcoming inertia is the challenge for me.

  17. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Marie, I congratulate you on getting out of bed, out of the house, and walking those 5 minutes to and from the gym. We take our achievements, big and small. Thank you.

  18. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Without a doubt worrying about and taking care of my son takes a lot out of me. Keep lavender oil beside my bed and use it at bedtime.

  19. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Yes, there is, but my house is still a dusty mess.

  20. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Lovely.

  21. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Sounds lovely. I’ll have to try adding lavender oil next time I bathe.

  22. Pieces of Bipolar Avatar
    Pieces of Bipolar

    I’m sure you’re exhausted, that is a really busy day. And good for you that you’re making progress. Your workout had me giggling…. I’m trying to get there myself, but I still have to pass ‘wash my hair’. So the other day I told myself – just SIT on the exercise bicycle…I don’t even have to pedal, just sit on the seat for one minute, and that will be a victory! Ohmygod, the strangeness we have to put ourselves through.

  23. Marie Abanga Avatar
    Marie Abanga

    Kitt,

    There was a day two weeks ago when the most I could do was get out of bed and the house, walk to the front of the gym which is like 5 mins away, and walk right back home. That to me was a huge achievement for that day. Cheers to you Kitt, you sure are trying your possible best especially for your boy 🙂

  24. vanbytheriver Avatar
    vanbytheriver

    Worrying about our children is a workout of its own. Take those moments for yourself whenever you can. Lavender helps. ❤️

  25. Sandy Sue Avatar
    Sandy Sue

    Any one of those tasks would have been huge! Sometimes I can use the momentum to move on to the next task. And sometimes I have to be satisfied with something very tiny (or what feels tiny to me). I hope there was a sense of accomplishment mixed in there with the exhaustion.

  26. Angie Mc Avatar
    Angie Mc

    I’m glad to stole away for a bath, Kitt! I, too, rarely take the time for such luxury. But when I do, I have scented bath salts which are terrific.

  27. Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA Avatar
    Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA

    Whew, you wore me out with your workout. It’s so effing HOT where I am (Arkansas, eeek!) that I am in training to be a geriatric sloth.

    I’m right up there with you on the forgetting-to-bathe, or could it simply be ennui, thing. Before this very evening I could not tell you when the last time was I showered.

    But I can now! After several days of slogging through 90+ humid degree weather, and not being able to face a night in a truck stop since there are no campsites to be had tonight, and therefore no electricity, and hence no AC, I did the math and it came out only slightly more expensive to rent a hotel room, rather than filling the tank with gas and running the generator all night.

    AND I had a glorious bath, with French Lavender, Bergamot, and Sandalwood oils, and a few drops of Vitamin E oil to moisturize. And every time it got cool I’d add more hot water. For two hours. Now I am clean, clean, clean! This bath might have to last a while 😉

  28. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you, Annie, for opening up – a step toward overcoming your (unwarranted) shame. I wouldn’t feel comfortable showering in someone else’s shower either. Overcoming that initial inertia is what gets me. Once I step into the bath/shower, no problem. It’s taking off my clothes and getting into the bath/shower that trips me up. If I’m at someone else’s place, that first step is even more difficult. (Also, I kind of like being a “dirty” girl, pushing limits, defying societal norms.)

  29. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you!

  30. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    I hope I sleep well, too. I’ll put a couple of drops of lavender on my throat and chest to calm me. Thanks for the love and support, Dy. XOXOXO

  31. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thanks, Vic!

  32. gentlekindness Avatar
    gentlekindness

    I find the task of taking a shower and setting up my daughters bath to be difficult. I guess other people just do those things on a schedule.

    I have been making YouTube videos, and that has kind of made me more accountable to keep up with the personal hygiene.

    Part of the mental block is that my shower is broken. I could write a whole post about the reason he has not fixed it and the ridiculous, unacceptable conditions I have to meet if I want it fixed, but that is another post.

    I have to go down and use their shower, which makes me feel creepy for certain reasons, even when I lock the door.

    So sometimes I just dont bother for a week.
    I think you are a beautiful person and you are honest about things like this.

    It helps other people, like me, who tend to keep things related to my feeling shame, or things that remind me of feeling shame, bottled up inside.

    Much love,
    Annie

  33. Not Quite Alice Avatar
    Not Quite Alice

    Yay for the bath. I bet your muscles enjoyed it. And go you on the workout. Sometimes just doing a little is enough to make an impact on our bodies, get some endorphins to make you feel better. Hugs for a great accomplishment hun.

  34. dyane Avatar
    dyane

    You had a packed day today! I’d be utterly exhausted as well.
    I’m proud of you for handling all the essentials, and I’m also happy you worked out yesterday.
    When I’m clean, I tend to sleep a little better – I hope you sleep well tonight.
    XoXo
    p.s. you’re a great loving mom!

  35. Just Plain Ol' Vic Avatar
    Just Plain Ol’ Vic

    It is important to find those little achievements every day! Savor those wonderful moments.

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