Shower Power

Daniella Matier - 4 Mar 15

It’s basic, it’s a necessity, it’s routine, it’s something we all (try to) do everyday, but for me, at the moment my shower is my luxury haven. In fact, having a shower is probably one of my favourite parts of the day.

Not being a great morning person, I’ve always needed a shower to wake me up, the hotter and steamier the better (not the 50 shades kind, I’m talking in practical washing terms).

When I was working, my shower was where I had time to think, I conducted my to do list, thought about what emails I needed to send, what deadlines were looming, or what we’re going to have for dinner. It was actually quite a constructive time. Once out I felt refreshed and ready to attack the day.

When pregnant I remember reading and being told ‘Oh you wont have time to shower!’ ‘You’ll never wash again!’ these comments, among other insightful parenthood ‘joys’ concerned me a little. I really don’t function very well without a shower first thing, let alone with a new small person to look after.

Even after my c-sec in hospital I was desperate for a shower, to feel half normal and clean. I managed to have a very awkward shower with the help of my husband, but the midwife just laughed at me when I said I wanted to wash my hair too – no chance, this wasn’t an option.

The thing is, it wasn’t about looking good, I really couldn’t care less. It was about me feeling good – just to have a wash and feel clean is that really too much to ask after a major op and 36 hour labour?!

It seems that as soon as you become a new mum it’s assumed that you don’t (and shouldn’t) care what you look like anymore, and actually that it doesn’t matter if you’ve washed or not, or if you don’t even get dressed, no one’s looking at YOU anyway.

Of course, priorities have shifted massively, and I admit I do spend more time coordinating Edie’s outfit than I do my own. I’ve been rotating the same baggy tops and Tesco jeggings for a while now.

But, deep down, the reality is, we haven’t lost all self-respect, we do want to look nice at least some of the time, even for ourselves, and we shouldn’t feel guilty or ashamed for that. So, if a hot shower is the best we can get, then I say take it and indulge it.

With Edie on the scene shower times are different, but I’ve somehow managed to make them possible. I still look at the bath longingly, wishing I had time for a soak, but that’s a rare treat now, and only available by appointment.

I really appreciate those few minutes of ‘me’ time, I’m detached from the world for a few moments when I close the shower door, I don’t think about anything, I just close my eyes and listen to the water while it falls on me and slowly wakes me up. It feels good and I’m just about ready for another day.

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Daniella Matier

Daniella lives in Surbiton, Surrey, with her husband Karl, rescue dog Diva, and baby Edie. Before madam Edie arrived Daniella worked in Marketing, now she's just about coming up for air and having a go at writing.

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