I’ve thought long. I’ve thought hard. My word of the year for 2021 is … SELF CARE. The past few days I’ve spent some time breaking down my self care goal and am using this acronym to remember to take care of me …
- S-chedule “me” time weekly.
- E-xercise four times weekly.
- L-imit screen time daily.
- F-ollow a healthy diet daily.
- (pause) daily to unwind.
- C-all a long-distance friend monthly.
- A-sk for help when needed.
- R-ead a book monthly.
- E-liminate the jerks.
Schedule “me” time … whether that means just soaking in the hot tub by myself, taking nap, going for a walk … I will remember I’m a better me for everyone when I take some time to recharge.
Exercise … The last couple years I’ve exercised but have been inconsistent. I’ll start then after a few weeks or months get busy and stop. When I exercise regularly, I feel better in mind, body and spirit, so it’s worth it.
Limit screen time … Having a phone-based biz and being my own boss is fantastic. However, it can mean I’m online and accessible … ALL the time. I need to take some time to turn off my phone/computer and go offline … even if it’s just an hour uninterrupted each day. My family will appreciate it.
Follow a healthy diet … Like with the exercise, I’ve been inconsistent. Then, I honestly just quit trying completely and put myself off saying I’d focus on eating right when things slowed down. No more. I can and I will be healthy even in the chaos. I’ve done it before … I’ll do it again.
(Pause) … I can be known to work on my biz, running kids around and parenting, or on the farm all day and evening seven days a week without even a 5-minute break. I keep going strong through lunch and dinner and don’t stop until it’s usually a couple hours past when I’d like to be in bed. I’m gonna learn to pause … just pause … every single day.
Call a friend … I’m horrible about staying in touch with my friends and loved ones. I’ll tell myself I’m too busy with tasks to call or I don’t wanna bother them because I know they are busy, too. I am pretty aloof with most people and don’t let a lot of people get close to me, but those I do, I need to talk to more often … they are good for my soul, and I want them to know they are important to me and make time for them.
Ask for help … I bet you’d never guess that I’m a pretty independent gal. Self-made. Divorced and doing it all alone nearing 10 years. I usually don’t ask for help because I know I’m capable, and I don’t want to be seen as weak or bother someone with something I could do myself. But, I need to learn to ask for help more often. I will remind myself that asking isn’t a sign I can’t do it, and that by asking for help sometimes can make life better.
Read … Growing up, reading was my favorite thing. In fact, funny story, the only time I ever got grounded as a kid, it was from staying up and reading all night long. I continued this love through 35. Then, when I got divorced and started my own biz, I stopped. I told myself that I needed to quit wasting my time reading when I could be doing something to help feed my family. I need to learn to read again. No, not binge reading where nothing gets done, but reading for my soul and reading without the guilt …. It was once my favorite “me” time activity and “me” is a goal.
Eliminate the jerks … I don’t like drama. After 14 years of living in a bad relationship, my final straw was reached. Though difficult, I eliminated the jerk, walked away and ended the relationship. It ended up being one the best decisions for my mental and emotional health as well as my family. The past couple of years I’ve realized that there will always be jerks in your life if you let them. They can cause added stress and are not worth the anger, frustrations or headache. One of the benefits to being my own boss is that I get to choose whom I work for and do business with. Whether it’s someone who is a business partner, customer or friend, if they are gonna be a jerk, I’m gonna walk, and do so without the guilt. You don’t have to get along with everyone. You’ll never make everyone happy. So, if someone is gonna be a demanding, judgy or an out-of-line jerk when they aren’t the one living your life, I’ll not try to change them and instead control what I can control … and that’s letting go and walking away and living my life without them.
So there you have it. Hold me to it! If you see me this year not taking care of me or surrounded by jerks, I give ya permission to remind me and give me a kick in the rear
Here is to a great 2021! I’d love to know YOUR word of the year! Share with me what YOUR focus is this year! Also, if you need help sticking to your goals this year, join our 2021 Goal-Getter Challenge in our Live WELL community Facebook group! Or, check out our blog about how to set SMART goals!
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