Yesterday was a big day for us Houstonians (01/21/2025). We got snow!!!! I don’t know about ya’ll but my little family and I enjoyed ourselves. This year I decided to make a lot of big changes. That included me taking a look into what I have been making a priority in my life. I started my business back in 2020; opened up my nail studio during the pandemic. Once they allowed non essential workers to resume work I was on my grind. For a good 2 in a half years I was all about work. I was recently married in 2019 but my husband was very understanding that work doesn’t stay home. It comes with me after hours. Booking, replying to clients, making content, posting it and doing the actual job. I loved it, I made work my priority. I got pregnant in 2021 and had my son April 2022. Things had to change, my priorities shifted. I cut back my days to Thursday through Saturday. My husband started working over nights Sunday through Wednesday so I stayed home with our baby those days. It was a hard time. I built my clientele to were I was booked everyday. I had to cut back meaning I couldn’t take EVERYONE, making me loose a good chunk of clients. But I’m grateful because I still had my loyal clients. As my son got “older” I started to increase my days. I’d work half days Sunday-Wednesday and be back home before my husband had to go to work. That was such a hard time. My husband wasn’t getting much sleep so sometimes he’d go to his parents to nap before work. I decided it was time to change my schedule again. I was off Sunday-Tuesday would have my sister in law take care of my son Wednesdays and I’ll work the rest of the week while he would be with his dad. It was a crazy schedule because it wasn’t too consistent for some clients. My off days kept switching. I understand people want a consistent person, I just couldn’t. To make this a bit shorter, I revolved my schedule around my son and my clients. I made no time for my husband and family time. I had many people tell me; “Astrid you work so much, Astrid when are you taking a vacation, Astrid are you taking care of yourself?” After I had my son I didn’t realize I let myself go. I became someone I couldn’t recognize. I was just a mom and a nail tech, barely a wife if I’m being honest.

Once my son turned 18 months he got diagnosed with autism and told us we should get him evaluated by a neurologist. So we did. We were told he is level 1 creeping into 2. I saw the signs before but never thought of anything, I would ask his pediatrician but she said the things I mentioned were “normal”. So I didn’t bother to really look into it. Until his 18 months when I kept checking mostly all (No’s) on his development. I felt like a shitty parent because I started thinking, did I not prioritize my son, did I not give him enough attention to help him with all these milestones? So here comes the depression in disguise. During this time we were in holiday season. Meaning I was working Monday through Saturday. I was making some time to go look for an ABA therapy place. I’ll go more into detail in another post about all of this but the point is we didn’t find a place. Time came and went and my son is 2 with no help. A little bit after that we find out my husband has cancer. (Which again, I’ll go into detail about that in another post). My whole life flipped. But I still kept working. Being there for my husband kind of put my son in second place. We stared therapies with SST, OT, Nutrition and Speech. My priorities kept changing. Husband, son, work all in that order. I was busy and kind of leaving some of that work to my mother in law and my sister in law while I was at work. Back in December my husband was told he was cancer free, we’re in remission. Praise the lord. My focus became my son.

I told myself that things needed to change this coming year. I love my job, I love my clients but I need to focus on my family. On myself. If you noticed I never mentioned I was giving myself any “me” time during any of this. None since 2020. We’re now in 2025. I never complained because I never noticed it. I felt guilty to do anything outside of family and work. I stopped doing my nails because I don’t want to stay late when I can be spending it with my boys. Mind you, I do my own yet I wasn’t making the time. The only other thing I was doing was my lashes but stopped when my husband was going through his treatments and my son had classes so anything that had to do with “self care” wasn’t a priority to me. I was beyond grateful for the clients I had during the time who were super understanding. They were taking care of me bringing me food, snacks, coffee, etc because for such a long time I wasn’t even eating right. Coffee and redbull were my besties. I thank my clients who got me a facial, one of the only things I did for myself because I had too lol. I was constantly being reminded to book it and I appreciated it. I was so relaxed that for a few minutes to myself made me forget a bit of how stressed I was. I don’t think I ever realized how I was maneuvering life until my friends started telling me their point of view on my life. I’m grateful for that, because I didn’t shed tears with many but the ones I did I realized a lot.

I think I was being real hard on myself. I think there’s a time and place for things and during this hard year I didn’t think putting myself first in any way was okay. See it how you want to see it but I was okay with how I handled it. I made the time for my priorities. This year though, things will change. I knew, but didn’t realize the luxury I have to create my own schedule. Which is funny because all I did talk about was how I was constantly changing it when things came up. But when I mean luxury I mean yes work, but make time to fit other things in. I will make time for myself, I will make time for my friends. You make time for the things that are important to you because if you wanted to do anything you would. I’ve had this website up for 2 years and I’m now just publishing. I’m thankful for my beautiful friend Ana for helping me and pushing me; we all need that one friend. I decided to give myself a raise this year as well. I’m thankful for all my clients still sticking it through and understanding. This year I’m giving half my Sundays to my friends and to God because without Him I don’t think I would have made it. Giving my son all Wednesday. I won’t be working too late so that I’m able to come home at a reasonable time to still have family time every day I work. And Thursdays will be all day family time. Chillin’ with my boys.

Wondering why I titled it pri – snow – ities? Think no more lol. Yesterday was Tuesday meaning I had a full day at work, I didn’t want to reschedule my clients because they’re the type to still come no matter the weather. And I’m the type to not believe what the weather people say because they’re not always right. I woke up early and saw how white it was outside, it was actually snowing. Snow was falling down on us. How amazing for us Houston folks. I automatically thought of my big goh (my husky Luz) who’s actually currently staying at my parents. I texted my family to see how my girls (my dogs) were and they told me how much Luz was running around. Man, I couldn’t miss that. Plus it would be my son’s first snow day! Didn’t think again and messaged all my clients to reschedule and they didn’t seem to mind. Why was I overthinking the whole situation. It’s okay if things don’t go as scheduled, you put those who need to be first, first. I’m thankful with my new car I got last year, never did I think I would be using SNOW mode here in Houston. Packed our stuff and headed to see my girls. My son, after having his little breakfast was having the best time of his life outside. Was I really about to give this up? Go to work and not see his beautiful face enjoying the weather and my girls running around excited to have me there with them? Luxury, I have the luxury to see these moments and be there. Enjoying them. Not only with them but I got to hang out with my sisters and parents. Who were having a good time too, I don’t think we’ve ever seen all of us so excited and happy all at once. I was thankful to experience this, yesterday was definitely a Pri-SNOW-ity, I’m glad I didn’t miss.

Shout out to my husband for having the idea to come bring my son here to a jumping place while I write this whole post. Letting me do this while I see my little one enjoy himself. After we took our nap yesterday I woke up with the title idea. He’s been pushing me all night but I was definitely lazy with the cold lol. I appreciate him being supportive with me adding blogging to my schedule. And shout out to the place for having a sale today letting us be here for 2 hours, my son definitely enjoys his jumping time. That’s his priority lol. Thanks babe, here’s to us making changes this year!

What are your priorities and will you make any changes?