I love taking baths because it's time that is just for me. Of course, I don't usually have time to take one until the end of the day -- this shouldn't be a problem because baths are supposed to be relaxing, right?

What's better than relaxing at the end of a long day?

Nothing ... <em>except</em> that most nights I'm so tired that the mere thought of preparing a bath (you know, running hot water and pouring out some bath soap) is so EXHAUSTING that I end up not taking one.

The other morning I came back from dropping off the older kids at their respective schools and the baby had fallen asleep in the car. I successfully made the car-to-crib transition, it was raining out, and I had a whole hour and fifteen minutes to kill before it was time to wake the baby so I could go pick up my preschooler. (Don't ask.)

I knew I could do anything with my hour, but all I really wanted to take was a hot bubble bath. I told myself that it was crazy to take a bath in the morning. That I should save it for bedtime -- isn't that what baths are for? That I should sit down and write something. Shoulds popped up all over the place.

I ignored that inner voice telling me what I should be doing, and for once, I did what I wanted to do.

I took a bubble bath.

It was the best thing I could have done for myself. I felt like if I was a at a spa. I felt pampered.

And you know what? I was in such a good mood the rest of the day that all those "shoulds" I ignored so I could put myself first were better taken care of than if I had dragged myself