As I was contemplating my plans for the upcoming week, I was struck by how busy this time of year really is. Not only are there the regular jobs, chores, and tasks on our proverbial "To Do List", but there is a lot going on this time of year that are extras. We get to reap the rewards of our gardens, get our landscaping cleaned up from spent flowers and those pesky weeds, switch out our wardrobes for cooler weather,and school starts for the kiddos. Sports practice and the fall games like football and volleyball to attend (and drive the kids to), and extracurricular programs that go along with school. No wonder we get overwhelmed in the fall! And when does it stop? It seems each season of our life brings different activities to keep us busy.
So, I was thinking all these thoughts as I drove to work today. As I walked into my office, I saw the sauna standing alone and empty in the corner of the room. I thought how nice it would be to just hop into the heated space with a book and enjoy 30 minutes to myself, and just read. As I contemplated that great idea, the phone rang, and it was a client who also needed the sauna space, so I told her to come on over and I would get it heated up for her. Once again, I put someone else's needs before my own.
So, as I warmed up the sauna, feeling jealous of my client who was now on her way to my office, I realised a lot of us do that.....put someone else's needs before our own.How hard would it have been to book her an hour later, so I could get in first? Just think how good it would feel to say Yes to Me for once! And why don't I do that more often? After all, it's my equipment, and I know how beneficial it is to my physical and mental health. And then there was the question, "How can I learn to take better care of myself?"
Can you relate? I think many, if not most of us, are overwhelmed with all that is going on in our world, locally and globally. So after work, I began asking others what their self care regime is. I was met by blank stares from almost everyone I asked. All the people I asked agreed that they were just so busy this year that they didn't think about doing something for themselves. To be frank, a lot of them looked at me as if I had lost my marbles! One lady- yes only one-- said she had begun having her coffee sitting down in the morning instead of running around cleaning her house first thing, and was doing word games on her phone instead of cleaning. Well, that's a start!
It really doesn't matter what you do, or for how long, as long as it is something you choose to do for yourself. Maybe you have a goal that needs more discipline, so you push yourself harder than normal to achieve that goal. Is that self care? I suppose in a way it is, but I'm talking more about relaxing and taking time to just be. Stop and smell the roses, as they say. Take a walk around town, or on the nature trail. Listen to the sounds around you. Sit on your porch and wave to your neighbors. Take a dance class, or go to the gym. Take a bubble bath at the end of a long day. Go shopping just to go shopping. Maybe buy yourself a little something that pleases you. There are so many ways to take a time out, and I believe this is a very important part of self care. It can bring an inner peace to you in the midst of mayhem. Give yourself the gift of time. Time to just be. The more you do it, the more likely you are to develop a habit of being selfish. And that's not a bad thing, because selfish without the Self is just ISH!
So, my friends, the holidays are coming and you know what that brings! MORE! So, now is the time to develop those habits that will help you not to be overwhelmed at the time of the year that is probably the most stressful. Let's work on making it the time of the year that brings us the most Joy instead! Best wishes, and here's to happy holidays to us all!
