I’ve heard Deepak Chopra say this: “You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes every day, unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.”
Are you laughing? I am! O.o
Hey! It’s a busy time of year, isn’t it? Gotta be here, go there, do this, do that, run errands, visit, shop, be amongst crowds, etc. etc. etc. It’s exhausting!
Tough to keep on the usual routine when all the added “everything” whirls around ya. Eventually it catches up though, sometimes not in a good way. Cranky-pants moods (raising my hand), tiredness, or even sickness may rear their ugly heads.
What can we do about it?
Well… remember that priority list? The one we finally placed ourselves on a few months ago? If we’ve fallen off that list, it’s so important to put ourselves right back on. Today.
Right now.
I mean it!
Oh how I’d love to do a “reset”… take a time out for a week straight, go dark on all social media and electronics. Relax in the quiet for a while. Eat well, rest well, get some exercise in. But let’s be real here, taking a week off like that is just not in the cards, am I right?
If you can’t schedule in all the self-care you’d like, make sure to do ONE thing each day, or each week, just for you. Something that will rejuvenate you for all you want to get done and enjoy during this busy season. Then, evaluate and prioritize your to-do list. Can you consolidate trips to various stores, caterers, etc.? Can you delegate tasks to others in your life? Do you HAVE to attend every get together, or can you send a nice card and message to a few of them? Maybe schedule some visits for after the New Year?
Here’s a few ideas:
1) Schedule a massage for this Friday. Do it. Now. Keep that appointment.
2) Spend some time in the sauna or hot tub during an evening this week. Schedule that time in your calendar as an appointment. Don’t cancel it.
3) Pick up a magazine at the store while you’re buying stocking stuffers. Stop at a coffee shop on the way home, sit in one of the comfy chairs they’ve got, and get lost in mindless page-perusing for a while.
4) Stop before the next errand, park your car in the lot, and call someone you love but haven’t spoken to in forever. A simple ten minute phone call can be all the rejuvenation you both need! No texting!
Putting yourself back on your priority list doesn’t mean you won’t get anything done. On the contrary. You may get more done. Better yet, you may just be the example that others need so THEY will also take better care of themselves.
By the way. Even the most well-intentioned people may start taking advantage of your energizer-bunny-ness, or treat you in less than considerate ways, if the example you show is one of not being considerate to yourself. Treat yourself respectfully, lovingly, and as a priority. Others will, too. ?
This brings me to the topic of how important boundaries are, especially during the holidays… let me know if you’d like a post on that and I’ll write one.
Meanwhile, I wish you a peaceful and relaxing week. If all else fails, take a nap! That to-do list will be there when you wake up, I promise! <3