Start small but start now!
Can you believe we only have 5 more weeks left in this year?!? Crazy, right?!
As you look back over the last 11 months, how much time have you dedicated to other people and projects and how much time have you devoted to yourself?
I find that so many people enter the new year with the best intention of making themselves a priority only to find the year ending without much changing.
You can’t pick up a magazine or turn on the tv without seeing something about self care. In our culture of going and doing, self care is this thing we all want; but no matter how much we want it we all continually struggle with it.
Why is it so hard for us to devote time to take care of ourselves?
I spent most of my 20's, 30's, and even into my early 40's, taking care of everyone and everything around me. When I repeatedly found myself dealing with major health issues I began to realize this way of life wasn't working for me. I needed to refocus my efforts to include myself.
It wasn't until I really started to dedicate time to myself each day and put myself on the priority list that my life and my health began to change.
It started with really small things like buying myself a coffee or taking 5 minutes before bed to read. Over time it turned into taking a bath, going for a long walk, meditating for 20 minutes every morning, taking a nap, and reading a book for 30 minutes before bed.
It hasn't been an easy road. I have had to learn how to say no to other people so that I could start to say yes to myself. I had to start really small so I didn’t overwhelm myself and add on as I went. It was slow but it was steady.
Understanding why it's important to take care of yourself will give you a strong foundation to fall back on when you begin to waver or old habits want to creep back in.
So, as we head into the end of 2021, take a moment to look at where your life is. If you aren't where you want to be what is one small step you can take today to get yourself heading in the right direction? Let me know by commenting below.
If you need a little accountability or support just click below to get in touch.