Tags
debt-free, Diana Schwenk, enjoyment, exercise, food, fun, health, Hump Day Chronicles, integrity, joy, living in the moment, love, mission, Purpose, self-care, spiritual
Last week I wrote about how I’ve been procrastinating, feeling vulnerable and then finally getting started on figuring out what I want to do with my life. To read that post, click here or in a nutshell let me recap here. I bought a whiteboard and made lists of the things I love, who I am, the type of environment I thrive in, and some of my strengths and skills.
I told you my next steps would be to look for themes in feedback I’d received from previous colleagues (I didn’t get to that yet, but that’s ok) and working on the vision, mission and philosophy of another blog I plan to launch soon. I did do this – believe it or not – and will share this with you at some point in the future.
For this post, I want to step back and talk about self-care; taking care of you outside of the job arena. It is an area I often put on the back burner however, and I thought it important to include from the get-go in this process.
~
A few years ago I attended the introduction session of a personal financial management course focussed on getting out of debt and learning to save. They did such a good job of highlighting and explaining the points we would cover in this first session that I never went back again.
I managed to pay off the debt that I’d accumulated on 3 credit cards and save $1000 in case of an emergency in the span of 1 1/2 years:
One of the most important tips in that course was YES pay your debt but also budget fun money, and this is crucial, pay yourself!
I went on to save more money so that when I left my job (to maintain my sanity) I was able to take a year off and two tropical vacations before looking for another job!
Buying something without having the money to do so, just doesn’t make sense to me anymore.
So if paying yourself financially is a good idea, why wouldn’t paying yourself, so to speak, in self-care, while providing your services at work and taking care of your family also be a good idea?
Sadly, this is the part I often neglect.
I felt it important to take some time this week to think about the ways I can commit to taking care of myself.
After all, ‘if Momma’s not happy, nobody’s happy,’ as a past boss of mine used to say.
I want to be healthy enough to have fun and do the things that make me happy for a long, long time.
Food
My whiteboard list includes rye bread, fruit, nuts, veggies, cheese as snack foods and all whole foods for meals: all kinds of meat, potatoes, whatever even if they have fat like avocados and olives and bananas and eggs, etc. If nature has it and I like it, I cook and eat it. And yes, I switched from margarine to real butter!
I’ve heard it said that eating right is more expensive. I’ve got to whole-heartedly disagree with that. (I spend less money now than before and eating good, real food is actually more filling. I have this theory that our bodies crave vitamins and minerals and when we have our fill, we’re not hungry. 🙂
Exercise
I won’t pay for a gym membership! But on my list are walking, Pilates, light weight resistance, jum rope and a good 8 hours of sleep every night. I didn’t do all these things from the beginning. I started with Pilates and began walking to and from work. I can do all these things at home and outside for free. I hate running but who knows, I may add this to my routine at some point in the future. The bottom line is being active gives me more energy.
Spirituality, Meditation and Attitude
Also included on my list is a desire to re-introduce spirituality, faith and a good attitude into my life in a more meaningful way. My whiteboard list includes: an intentional attitude of thankfulness and gratitude, being present in the moment, intentional prayer (to say thank you and ask for blessings for the people I am in contact with). I truly believe that God is in the Thank You inhabiting the praises of His people. Also I put meditation on the list – never done it, not sure I like it even, but have been feeling a pull to do so. I’m not sure what that will look like but start small right?
Fun, Fun, Fun!
Fun is important to me. My whiteboard list includes: traveling, socializing, dancing, reading, enjoying the great outdoors, blogging and music. I must be intentional about leaving room for these things in my life. I may even meet that man who can put up with me and all my imperfections – who knows!
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
What are your personal desires?
How do you ensure that you make time to care for you?
sedge808 said:
Excellent post. So helpfull too.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you sedge!
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Yes, I’ve noticed that about low fat products too. Whole natural foods are definitely the better way to go. My cholesterol is a concern right now, and needs to be checked again, but I think mostly it’s a hereditary thing. Doc says if it goes any higher I might need medication, and I don’t want that! Of course I don’t want a heart attack either. ;/
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dianasschwenk said:
Wish I could be more helpful on this Jennifer – my mom eats really healthy and she has cholesteral issues as well. They started with menopause, so far so good for me.
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Yep, that’s when my issue with it started, just the same as my mother. You have been helpful, D, particularly by writing your inspiring post. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re a smart lady, you’ll figure out what’s best for you. I don’t think there’s a ‘fit all’ plan for everybody.
xo
Diana
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Diana, I am inspired by your post and your thoughtful list. I am already consciously practicing much of your advice – in the exercise and meditation areas – but I can do better, especially with food. Coincidentally, I too have been thinking of switching to butter and cutting down further on anything processed. A silly question maybe, but are all butters the same? What brand do you buy? I wonder is it inadvisable for someone watching their cholesterol?
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m no doctor and I have healthy cholesterol levels but my secret theory is that people cut out butter to make room for Big Macs and a lot of other crappy food. I subscribe to the old advice from my teens: we all need fat, protein, grains and dairy. I try to keep foods with added sugars to a minimum but foods that have sugar like fruit – forget about it – their natural foods! I can’t help notice that often when they come up with low fat products, they boost the sugar in those products!
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Jean said:
Personal desires..which I know one of them won’t be meant which is not work at all and retire now. Oh well. That’s what I get for working for several different employers. (And my career has been immensely enriched by it. I have LEARNED so much.)
I’m with you: eating healthy definitely does not need to be expensive. Maybe the person was thinking of buying exclusively organic veggies and fruits. People have to learn to browse happily in ethnic stores and supermarkets to get some deals, new ways of preparing dishes, etc. I came from a poor family of 6 kids, so I attribute the foundation of my good health…to my mother’s cooking and how to squeeze out magic of a few fresh ingredients with good cooking techniques. I do naturally carry forward some of her dishes into my own cooking repertoire. I’m just lazy culinary-wise but incredibly lucky to have had this early familial exposure.
Like you, I’ve never paid for a gym membership. For the past 30 years, I’ve taken only 3 different short term courses on tai chi, Pilates and yoga. Each maybe 6-8 wks. long.
But cycling passion bit me 22 yrs. ago after I returned to biking. I haven’t looked back, because the bike wheels spin me forward.. past 54 yrs. next yr.
You’re on the right path.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jean, I always have to remind myself that taking care of me is just as important as taking care of everything else. 🙂
Hey did you know they’re doing movie night (shining it on the Simmons building) the first two Thursdays and Saturdays this month? I guess the city is “Open” as per the mayor’s latest social media efforts. 🙂
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Jean said:
I had not idea about the movie night….have to look into it. I am abit picky about movies…
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dianasschwenk said:
They seem to be family oriented and there was also a food truck there.
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Professions for PEACE said:
Diana, this post is wonderful! It’s so important to take care of ourselves, including ‘paying ourselves’ as we work off debt. I love all of your pointers, especially the final fun pointer. I like to set aside time to be silly, often with my goofy blind dog as we run through the field, me calling her constantly so she runs to stay beside me. And board games too. These are all excellent reminders. Thanks so much for sharing! Hugs, Gina
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dianasschwenk said:
I hadn’t played a board game in forever then…the Starbucks in Inglewood put some out for people to use – what a great idea!
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aliciabenton said:
Ooh, I’d think I’d miss margarine too much! (Seriously…)
I’m with you on refusing to pay for a gym membership, though.
I love your advice – you’re so incredibly wise. I’m thankful to “know” you!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Alicia! You meant wise @$$, right?? 😉
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aliciabenton said:
Ha ha!! For once, I actually didn’t~~ Hmm… 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
🙂
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jensine said:
I am so with you … I have very little debt but need to stop procrastinating and start acting …
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dianasschwenk said:
Jensine it sounds like you have a lot going on already! But the novel, right?
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jensine said:
yes … the novel
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joannerambling said:
I also prefer real butter, I do not have a lot of butter so when I do I want butter not margarine just saying………………….it has taken hubby and I many years but we are out of debt have been for a number of years now and have plans to change that. One thing we did was we took our credit card and not cut it up but locked it away in the safe and that way if we thought about using it we had to come home first and then decide if we really wanted to use it and by that time the impulse was gone……
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dianasschwenk said:
Wow that’s pretty smart Joanne! I’ve heard that others put their card in a freezer bag and then put the bag in a container filled with water and then into the freezer! Talk about delayed gratification!
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elizabeth2560 said:
You have the ability to summarize in one post what it takes me 10 to write!
I am SO glad that you budget for fun, rather than using credit which a lot of people do and then that impinges on their overall well-being.
What a great post and I agree with it all – except for the butter 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Hahaha! The butter is my favourite part!
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artsifrtsy said:
Love this list – very sound advice. As for meditation I look at it as spending time with God – I just set aside time. I might read or pray or just pour out what I’m feeling, but I always come back to thankfulness.
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dianasschwenk said:
That sounds wonderful! Everything looks better in thankfulness, doesn’t it?
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artsifrtsy said:
It sure does.
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Linda Constantineau said:
Sweet Diana……did you kow that you have just written what I’ve been feeling inclined to for a while now……seeing it written down, just like opened a 100 watt light……for you….already in good shape, is very attainable…..but for me…..older and 0 shape, 0 energy…..etc…..is almost like…unattainable …. But I’m thinking baby steps, just baby steps would be a start……and I’ve been really thinking of meditating…..just being ale to empty your mind to everything, should be a wonderful if not magical moment ( for me anyways ). …. Thank you for getting for actually making me take off my blindfold and making m look at reality…….finishing off by saing any intelligent man would be blessed by sharing your life…..you are one of the most fantastic person I’ve had the pleasure to meet…..Amen to that and God bless you!
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dianasschwenk said:
You are SO kind Linda – Thank you! Writing it down is one thing though, let’s see how good I’ll be applying it! 😉
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billgncs said:
good for you! Listen to your heart, it will help guide you.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Bill – I needed a reminder to listen to my heart again!
Cheers
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Kristi said:
D you nailed it with this post. Love, love, love it! 🙂 We’re in a similar place in life. Great advise about finances, I find myself paying it all off (done soon!), but not budgeting for any fun. Changing that. Eating healthy is not more expensive. If we cut out all the soda, artificial/packaged stuff and stop buying stuff we don’t really need, it’s actually relatively cheap to eat really well. I never count any calories, I just make sure to eat natural food until I’m full. Walking everywhere helps too. Meditation is definitely one of those habits, that have helped me to stay sane (at crazy times). I think of meditation as moment to get connected with my thoughts, emotions and reactions…. like when you have loud music on and you put if off…that’s what it is in nutshell. It has helped me to just do meditation the way it fits into my life, no fancy pillows, music, or scents. Just quiet and eyes closed and noticing what’s up. easy peasy. hugs, Kristi
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dianasschwenk said:
Yeah I will try meditation – might count on you for tips – I have the attention span of a gnat!
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bulldog said:
I love this post… Mamma must be happy or no one is… think of yourself first, and then the others… I’ve said to my wife, more times than I want to remember, “do it for you, because you want to and not because it’s going to please someone else, think of yourself for a change.” Now this is not saying anything bad about her, but she tends to live her life trying to please all the others in her family and friends,,, do something that please you and to hell with everyone else…
I love all that you have listed.. and agree 100% with your analogy that the body tells you what it needs and when it has enough it stops craving what it wants… so if you crave chocolate eat it .. but think about the reason behind the craving, is it something the body needs or is it merely comfort food… so many times an imbalance in body pH can have one craving the wrong things.. and from experience with Linda’s cancer bouts, we have found when her pH is better balanced she craves all the good foods and not the bad ones… just something for you to think about…
As for exercise, I have found walking for pleasure is all I’ve ever needed, I can walk from here to eternity, but can’t run 50 metres without half killing myself, (unless its after an ice cream truck).. but walking is great exercise as is swimming…
Hey.. as for meeting a man that will put up with you… I know a whole bunch that are looking for a woman just like you….
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh bulldog thanks for the visual of you running after an icecream truck! And your very sweet last comment.
xo
Diana
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Louise Gallagher said:
Oh wow! Yup. It’s true. You are amazing!!!!!
Love this.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Louise! It’s different doing this alone as opposed to working with a group on something…
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this is lemonade said:
Thanks for this post Diana! I’ve been thinking along similar lines myself, in terms of doing somehing about my life. I need to figure stuff out and make better, happier use of it! I woke up this morning realising I’d forgotten about my goals as stated at the beginning of the year. I haven’t started pilates properly as yet for example- shame on me! How are you doing that, I want to do that at home- any tips? 🙂
Love your ideas, been thinking along similar lines. Did I say that already? Might share it when I achieve more clarity 🙂
Thanks for sharing and inspiring again ♡
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dianasschwenk said:
Remember VCR’s and videos? Well back in the day I got a series of videos with Pilates instruction and I pretty much have them all memorized now and just do them at home on the floor… I wonder if I still have them. I could check, if you like and send them to you…(although I know videos from Germany didn’t work here in Canada…I wonder if they would have exercises on the internet now…
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this is lemonade said:
Thanks Diana but I wouldn’t want to be responsible for distracting you now you’re back on course with overhauling your life! Honestly? My TV is not currently accessible. But I think the fact that you memorised the exercises is the way to go. I tried following YouTube and DVD before but it was frustrating because of wrong angle screen and lack of space in front of it and I gave up. I’ll just have to take a step back and commit things to memory – Thanks for the tip! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) My pleasure!
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