We've got so many distractions in life that pull us in so many directions. Work obligations, school, home upkeep, children, pets, birthday parties, get togethers, football games, tailgates, it's easy to get side tracked and forget about the most important thing out of all of these obligations....YOURSELF.
Maybe it's the people pleaser in you, maybe it's the fact that you're a parent now and your life needs to focus more on your children, maybe you've got some REALLY important projects at work that are due, but you can't just throw these obligations to the wind - but you might as well if you don't start taking care of YOURSELF.
It's not selfish, it's not rude, it's ESSENTIAL.
We're BIG preachers around here about the fact that you can't fill from an empty cup.
If you start your day with a cup of water - pour some out for every task you have during the day - but don't take any drinks from that water yourself. You're going to be thirsty, and you won't be at the top of your game.
Athletes who don't hydrate risk serious injury and fatigue. Same goes for your mind. If you don't take time to water your own mind, and take care of YOURSELF, you're going to be absolutely worthless. When you neglect yourself your whole world becomes a different place, everyone in your world starts to notice that you're on edge - angry and snippy, or down in the dumps because you "never have time for yourself."
Here's the thing. You totally DO have time for yourself. I appreciate you reading this blog, but this time you're using to read this right now is time you are using for yourself. You can do it. You just have to prioritize your day, and rearrange what's REALLY important.
Start small with this. Just take three minutes for yourself at a time. Three minutes to find a quiet place, set your phone down, maybe close your eyes and take some deep breaths. Center yourself with some deep breaths and bring yourself back to a baseline.
Three minutes. Then do it again later in the day. Then again later in the day. Then one more time later. And again before bed. Five three minute breaks - that's FIFTEEN MINUTES of self care.
Try it for a week. If you don't feel a difference in your mindset, let me know and we can help you sort things out with an introductory Mental Health Life Coach Session.
Sometimes you just need someone else to kick around your feelings with, and to tell you that everything is going to be just fine. Someone to help you see all the good that you possess and get you off in the right direction.
Give yourself the love you need, and the attention you deserve. Even in small increments. Little things add up to big things.
Riggs
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