As my two older children prepare for their time at summer camp, I took the opportunity to create a comprehensive task list for myself. It includes ambitious projects like decluttering the garage, donating unworn clothes, and tackling the vacuuming under the furniture. However, it also features more personal goals such as daily walks, finally finishing that novel that’s lingered on my nightstand for months, and indulging in a facial. This summer list encapsulates all those tasks that slipped through the cracks during the school year, the spring cleaning I neglected, and the intentions I set to prioritize self-care and create space in my life.
The girls have been away for two weeks now. While I’ve managed to tick off a few tasks on my list, there’s one unexpected activity that’s become a daily ritual: wandering around the house in the nude.
What’s Going On Here?
With three kids and a partner frequently in and out of the bathroom and bedroom, privacy is a rare luxury. Our home lacks interior door locks, leaving me vulnerable to my husband’s appreciative glances, my older daughters’ inquisitive stares, and my youngest’s innocent remarks, like “Mama, you have a squishy butt!” Despite my efforts to teach them about boundaries, they often burst in with an “Oops, sorry Mom,” followed by a request of some kind. While their presence is sweet, it leaves little room for me to enjoy my own skin. Now that I have the house to myself, I realize how much I’ve missed this freedom.
I’ve gained a newfound appreciation for my body in my mid-40s, which is certainly different from the one I had in my 20s and early 30s, before marriage and motherhood. Back then, my skin was firm, and I didn’t worry about where my body was headed. Ironically, those were the years I spent the most time fretting over my appearance. I felt the pressure to lose weight and tone up. I pondered what a potential partner would think of my body, questioning whether it would be worthy of love.
Today, I’m more inclined to celebrate my body with gratitude and a hearty “hell yes.” I recognize its capabilities, its past, and its enduring strength. My body has run marathons, competed in tennis tournaments, and hiked the Pacific Crest Trail for three weeks. It has given life to three children and recovered from hardships. While I still catalog the changes—freckles, scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks—I now observe rather than critique. I genuinely like how I look and, even better, I appreciate how I feel.
With two weeks left before my home is full again, I plan to embrace this nudity for as long as possible. I’ll finish that book, treat myself to a facial, and contemplate tackling the garage. Oh, and I’ve added one more item to my list: call the locksmith.
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In summary, this summer has turned into a time of unexpected self-discovery and acceptance of my body, allowing me to embrace the simple joy of being naked while accomplishing tasks I’ve long neglected.
Keyphrase: summer to-do list
Tags: home insemination kit, home insemination syringe, self insemination