Today is September 15 and that means that September is half over. How have you done nurturing yourself every day for the first 15 days of the month? I'm feeling like nurturing myself is becoming more of a habit and I find that I am not needing to think about it as much as I did on days 1-7. I have enjoyed reading a book while I ate my breakfast (which I never do!), I've been going outside for a walk every morning before it gets too hot, and I've been decluttering my home and letting go of those things and situations that I no longer need in my life. I'm even thinking about going to see a movie (Eat, Pray, Love) during the day while my family is at school. Someone I know mentioned doing that yesterday and she was just beaming. I've already seen the movie (and so had she), but it was something I hadn't even considered doing. Happy to add that to my list!
I have to confess that this has been the best September that I remember (so far). I've been much more aware of what nurtures me and what doesn't. I've also taken the work of Ray Castellino and Mary Jackson and applied it to my life. They teach slowing down, taking pauses. When I went to California at the end of June to work with them on a project (watch for our upcoming series on Infant and Toddler Sleep later this month, which is about WAY more than just sleep!), they worked in a way that was very respectful of their own needs. We took breaks to snack, nap, to go outside to walk, to sing, to just be. I usually just work and work and work until I'm exhausted, so this was really different for me. It felt really good.
This month, I'm striving to apply that to my own work life. I get up in the morning and get my family off to work and school (together to a great school, which I love). Then I go outside for a walk while it is still cool. I come back and make myself breakfast, then clean up something in the house (today I tackled the laundry couch). Then I shower and change before coming into my office to work. I take breaks for snacks and food as necessary, or just to play with my kitten. It feels really great to go at a pace that respects my body. I'm getting a LOT done- way more than I thought I would if I was taking all those breaks!
Try it for yourself and see what happens. What would happen if you allowed yourself to slow down and to take pauses to take care of yourself throughout the day instead of waiting until you HAD to take a break? Try it and let me know. I'd love to hear from you!
1 comment:
Yes, I have worked and worked with you--while on a cruise! I like the take-breaks approach.
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