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.
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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!
Fun in the sun
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?
We read all these articles about the best kind of sleep for optimum health.
