Addressing Self-Care

This is where we can post questions and information on the following such life management components:
-Getting self ready & primped
-Health routines (exercise, diet, etc)
-Personal clothing management
-Pampering self
-Personal hobbies & interests
-Pesonal goals
-Self-development (reading, education, etc)

Some words of wisdom from Kathy Peel .

“We all have the same amount of hours in a day, and no matter how busy our schedules or what kinds of responsibilities we juggle, we need to take care of ourselves….Putting our own needs last seems like the noble thing to do, but the truth is that when we don’t take care of ourselves, we’re not doing anyone a favor…And if we burn out, everyone suffers.”

Sources of burnout: My calendar booked to eternity? Saying yes to everyone who asks me to do anything? Cramming way too many things into each day – especially things I don’t enjoy but committed myself to do? All work and no play?

Don’t wait until it is too late (serious illness or total breakdown) to “get serious about living more in line with my priorities instead of other people’s priorities for me, and get serious about managing myself – caring for my body, nourishing my spirit, sharpening my mind, and doing some things that recharge my batteries on a daily basis”.

Getting Started:
Think of habits you want to develop in the following areas: mental (learning new things and becoming wise in the art of living); physical (nourishing and caring for body); spiritual (growing in faith and commitment to God); social/emotional (learning to be a good friend to others and myself). “I picked one simple thing I would do in each area to care for myself. I jealously guarded my schedule, and these stopgap measures became my ‘No matter whats’. No matter what else happened, even on the worst of days, I would at least start the day with prayer, do something better for my body, learn something new, and in some way be a good friend to others and myself. My daily disciplines included exercising, taking vitamins, eating healthy, studying the Bible, prayer journaling, taking courses, stepping out on dreams, and making time to have fun.”
“Jesus said, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ So it stands to reason that before I can love my neighbor very effectively, I have to love myself – not in a narcissistic, the-world-revolves-around-me sense, but by being my own friend, looking after myself, wishing myself well and forgiving myself when necessary.”

1. Let first things be first. “Managing time is a matter of priorities. You have to decide what really matters to you – the quality of life you desire for your family and yourself, what kind of relationship you want with you husband, the values and memories you want your children to take with them when they leave home, the gifts and dreams you want to pursue. Then you have to say no to requests that do not reflect your priorities. Period. When you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else.”
2. Keep your goals and priorities front and center. Purposely think about your goals and post them in visible places.
3. Learn to reset your start button. Don’t assume that you have to go through your days feeling drained and unmotivated. When your schedule get overloaded, take a short break and do something that refreshes you. Watch for things that may be contributing to your lethargy: not drinking enough water, dark environment, high-fat diet, poor sleep habits, TV watching, inactivity. Replace these with energy boosters: spend time outdoors, make a list of blessings, start working on project or hobby you enjoy, find a special place that refreshes and inspires you, schedule a quite time every day, go on a short vacation by yourself, plan for free time, start an informal support group, exercise.
4. Know your “no matter whats.” These are the things that you are going to do today one way or the other, no matter what the day brings.
5. Identify habits that waste minutes in your day. You may discover that you’re committing a lot of time to nonpriority activities or doing things for other people that they can do for themselves.
6. Practice “executive neglect”. This is when you purposefully neglect certain issues and tasks so you can focus on other more important ones. You can’t satisfy every person and cause vying for your time and energy. Before you say yes, ask yourself: Am I passionate about the cause? What will it cost me time-wise? What are the potential benefits?

Problem: You’ve become your children’s personal maid.
-Establish rules about how many toys can be out at one time. Have them spend a few minutes picking up their rooms before bedtime. Put a small laundry basket in each child’s closet and teach them to bring it to the laundry area twice weekly.

Problem: You spend time chatting with just about anyone who calls during the day.
-Break the “I have to answer the phone” habit. Use a portable phone and accomplish something around the house with talking.

Problem: You’ve put on a few pounds and searching for something to wear in the morning is taking too much time.
-Purchase a few new “workout friendly” items to put on in the morning. Adopt an attitude of exercise while doing housework. Don’t feel guilty about spending time each day on the treadmill, even if toys and stray socks are cluttering the floor.

Problem: You’re so wiped out that when you finally do have a few minutes of free time, you just plop in front of the TV with a bowl of ice cream.
-Self-care takes some advanced thought. Jot down 10 things you have the most fun doing, along with the last time you did them. Be sure to schedule some time this week to do one of them.

Problem: You’re bored with your life.
-Stretch your mind by signing up for a class at a local college or fitness center or simply try to read one interesting book a month.

I have to say that this is the first time in my memory that I have had a weekend! I have been too busy to make it though all the stepping stones, but the ones that I have done have already had such an impact. My family is noticing the difference, not just in the house, but my attitude.

This weekend (since the dishes were done, the laundry was not piled up, and the bathrooms had been wiped down) I....ENJOIED my family! I worked in the garden, I worked on my Bible study....i even sat in the hammock and read... I did all this without thinking to myself "I really should be working on the house!"

I have noticed such a change in my attitude toward the house. Instead of the defeating, why pick up that little bit of mess, the whole house is a mess? I have been spending a few minutes in the morning, a few in the evening, and a little longer on the weekend tackeling small areas and it is paying off.

I feel free-er from cleaning than I ever have (even though i'm probably doing more of it). I have started making copies of my stepping stones for my mother-in-law at her request so she can "do what ever it is i'm doing"

-Amanda

I'm so glad to hear that you are starting to feel the freedom of an organized home, Amanda! And I thank you for giving me this feedback. I so want this class to impact the participant's lives and this type of feedback lets me know that my time commitment is worth it. I hope to see you Thursday.