So there I was floating on a calm river, alone, no kids, no distractions...something I love to do, not a care in the world.
Oh wait! That’s not true. Shoot!
Guess what I found myself thinking about?
My to-do list, how to handle my 3-year-old son’s recent bits of anger, how I wanted more intimate time with my husband.
And I thought to myself, I’m FRICKIN' wasting my time.
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Self-care is sacred time
As a mother and an entrepreneur, my self-care is very limited, so I consider it sacred. I didn't want to be thinking about my worries during this precious time.
And I preach self-care to my clients so I wanted to honor this awareness I was having, work through it personally and then share what came of it, with you, because I know I'm not the only one who deals with this.
And as a side-note, I’m not saying that taking time to process these life issues isn’t important, but it can also be a trap.
Self-care is about nourishing yourself completely, filling up your cup so you can come back to your responsibilities; your family, your work with more love in your heart, more patience and a sense of peace.
Otherwise, frankly you’re wasting your time.
So, what came out of this recent aha moment I experienced on the river? A desire to create this self-care formula.
I like formulas, a step-by-step plan to follow, so I can be more in control of my life rather than just going through the motions.
With a self-care formula, I don’t have to find myself wasting my precious, self-care time again. When I’m aware I’m caught in the trap of processing my “problems” and wasting my scared self-care time, I use this formula.
THE SELF-CARE FORMULA
1.Choose Wisely
Instead of spending your self-care time doing what you think you “should” do. Make an informed and conscious decision. Ask your body for what it needs. Yes, ask yourself.
“Self, what care do you need most today”?
Do you need silence? If so, take a walk in the woods.
Do you need comfort of a friend? If so, ask a friend to join you for a walk or coffee.
Do you need to laugh? If so, watch a funny movie or listen to a comedian.
Do you need movement? If so, go to a fitness or yoga class.
Listen to what comes up, you know you’ve found the right answer when you try different ideas on for size and one feels easy and light in your body. That’s the one!
2. Be Prepared
Make sure you line up a babysitter, have work responsibilities passed along or delegate so you don’t have to think about work while you're gone. If you need comfort from a loved one/friend, call them in advance.
3. Set an intention
What do want to get out of your self-care time? Create an intention or a mantra that declares it. For example:
“I am peace”
“I am fun”
“I am joy”
“I am confident”
“I am calm”
Why? Because it will help you come back to nourishing yourself, when reality tries to creeps in. (I’ll explain right now in step #4.)
4. Forget the rest
Make a decision to forget everything else that doesn’t serve you recharging your batteries. This is a practice. The more you practice the easier it gets.
You start to become more aware of what you're choosing to think about and therefore what you’re creating in your reality.
So, when you find your mind shifting to your problems and you don’t want to be in the trap, repeat your mantra from above to yourself.
I am peace.
I am joy.
Keep repeating it till you feel a letting go.
So there you go, my self-care formula.
The truth is, it’s hard to turn our brilliant minds off, but that’s not what I’m asking you to do.
I’m just asking you to focus your thoughts on what it is you want to create rather than what you don’t want (your worries/problems). Remember that famous quote "I think, therefore I am" by Descartes. He was right on!
I just want you to think in alignment with what you want to create in your life.
Self-care will give you the time and space to be more in alignment.
Not to mention, it's key to reducing stress and anxiety and healing your sweet, precious adrenals.
So, next time you find yourself wasting your precious self-care time, use my self-care formula and make each minute of your self-care count.
Here’s to you and your sweet adrenals,
Angela
P.S. Tell me what is your favorite self-care activity?