§ We came to this world to LIVE OUT LOUD.
How to Find the Time & Motivation for Self-Care
Lately, I have been resisting my morning energy clearing routine.
Even though I know better.
Even though I know that not only do I feel better but everything in my life flows better when I take the time to clear my energy and set my intentions for the day.
Even though it only takes 5 minutes!!!
Can you relate? Do you not take time you need to feel your best?
So, I forced myself. I just stopped writing this blog post for 5 minutes and did my morning routine. Not surprisingly, I feel way really great right now.
I’ve thought a lot about what gets in my way…
As I start my day, I am conscious of how much I have to do and anxious to start doing it. It takes all my willpower to stop that train which is me on a mission and make it a priority to do my morning routine.
So how does a busy woman with tons on her plate find the motivation for self-care practices?
It’s simple: Just pay attention to how you feel and how effective you are when you do your self-care practices. Conversely, pay attention to how you feel when you don’t.
Chances are, you will notice that you feel better, have more energy, enjoy better relationships, get more work done and come up with more effective and creative solutions when you do the practices.
On the other hand, you will also notice that on the days when you skip the self-care, you feel tired, sluggish and grumpy. You may notice that it takes you longer to get your work done and inspiration is hard to come by.
Or perhaps you will notice that you can get away with putting self- care on the back burner for a day or two but after that, you’re just not at your best.
Everybody is different but generally, most people can’t afford to skimp on self-care for more than a couple of days without paying a high price in the way they feel, their levels of inner peace and centeredness, and work productivity and creativity.
So now you have the motivation but how to find the time to do and still take care of yourself.
I know you’re busy. As an entrepreneur, writer, mom of 3 girls, wife, friend, daughter and active community member, I get it!
I have found that the only thing that works is making self-care a priority and finding ways to work it into your schedule.
If the most successful people in the world, from presidents of nations to CEOs of huge companies can find the time to exercise and meditate, surely we can all find the time.
For instance, I know myself and I know that I need to do my most important self-care practices first thing in the morning before I start working or running errands or they don’t happen. As soon as I get the kids off to school, I exercise, meditate and clear my energy/do my intention setting for the day.
I then eat sip my green smoothie all morning and have a healthy lunch while drinking plenty of water.
I try to remember to stop and breathe deeply and act mindfully at least a few times throughout the day.
Finally, before going to bed at night, I review my day and write down 3 things I acknowledge myself for and 10 things I am grateful for.
It’s a routine that works with my day and thus is doable (except when I have to kick my own butt, like this morning with my energy clearing practice).
Likewise, when I work with clients, we find the practices that are most effective, most fun and the easiest for them to do given their lifestyle and commitments. The idea is to choose a few, keep it simple and find ways to fit them in!
So here’s what you can do right now – pull out a sheet of paper and a pen and answer the following questions:
1. What one thing can you do to take better care of your body?
2. What one thing can you do to take better care of your mind?
– How can you easily fit it into your day?
3. What one thing can you do to take better care of your soul?
– How can you easily fit it into your day?
I’d love to hear from you so feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how your self-care routine is going
Happy Tuesday!
xoxo,
