I am learning that I need to be intentional about nurturing myself and my passions. If I don’t, I will get lost in the to-do lists and swept away in the changes.
5 Ways to Nurture Me
- Time alone – I need at least three hours of solitude every day. When I don’t get it, I am prone to deeper depressions and anxiety. Waking up before the rest of my family to guarantee that time — making those hours a priority — has turned me into a morning person. I never thought that would happen, but it turns out if you go to bed early at night (instead of 3 or 4 am) it is possible to wake up early. And sleep is a beautiful thing.
- No more comparisons – Comparisons are just another way to tell myself that I’m not being enough, doing enough, achieving enough. We all have different paths to walk. Wasting my energy on being envious of another person doesn’t help move me any further down my path or closer to my goals.
- Negativity does not equal practicality – Sometimes I am practical, but far too often I tell myself I am being practical to disguise my negativity. They are not the same thing, and negativity is never helpful.
- Letting go – There are many things in this world that I can not control. Mainly people. I can offer advice, I can pray, I can support them, I can love them…but I can not control them. There comes a point when I have given all the help I can give, and I have to let go of the results. I cannot let other people, or their problems, become the main preoccupation of my life.
- Laughing – I am watching more comedies, reading more funny books, and surrounding myself with things that make me happy.
We all need different things to make us happy and help us achieve our goals. What do you do to nurture yourself ?
xo
Tracie
This are great ideas Stacie. I need to adopt the policy of no comparisons. I am really bad about that. And my husband tells me I need to let more things go as far as housework, but mess and disorganization drive me nuts! I think I would be a lot more at peace if I could, but it’s difficult.
Kathy at kissing the frog recently posted..Nine Lessons I WANT My Kids to Learn From SpongeBob
It is great that your husband is supportive of you letting go of some of that housework. Maybe you could give yourself one day a week to not stress over it – that way the disorganization won’t get too out of hand, but you will still get a break.
Tracie Nall recently posted..Thoughts, Questions, And Monday Mornings
Laughter ALWAYS helps me. It’s one of the things that drew me to my husband and helps us make it through difficult times. He can always, always make me laugh.
angela recently posted..Finding Their Valentines
My husband is really great at making me laugh, too. It is a beautiful thing.
Tracie Nall recently posted..Thoughts, Questions, And Monday Mornings
All good things, which I could do more to implement them myself.
Corey Feldman recently posted..Children’s Literature review – Egret the Elephant
The biggest key is to start small, and don’t be hard on yourself when you fall back into those unnurturing habits. Eventually it gets easier.
Tracie Nall recently posted..Parental Trauma At The Dentist Office
This is good stuff. I could do with less comparison myself. I remember Andy Stanley once saying “if you don’t want to become discontent with your own life, don’t look at what everyone else has.” When I quit comparing myself to others, I realize just how much I have to be grateful for.
Cindy recently posted..I’m not a fucking consumer, asshole. I’m a human being.
That is a fabulous quote!
Tracie Nall recently posted..Be Kind To Yourself
Andy Stanley is a very wise man.
Cindy recently posted..I’m not a fucking consumer, asshole. I’m a human being.
Love that list. Time alone is a big one for me, and getting out by myself for a walk especially so. Quiet + time to think = gold.
Robin recently posted..Sears Launches Carter’s & OshKosh
A nice, quiet walk is a good idea. I need to do that more often.
Tracie Nall recently posted..A Good American
Great list! Yes to laughter! Yes to time out! And it is so hard not to fall prey to the comparison trap!
Alexa recently posted..Have Your Voice Heard
Comparison really is a trap!
Tracie Nall recently posted..A Good American
Thanks for sharing these vital lessons. I need to work on many of these!
idiosyncratic eye recently posted..A Shot of the Good Stuff
You are so very welcome. It is hard work – but the more you do it, the easier it becomes.
Tracie Nall recently posted..A Good American
These are all great ways to nurture yourself, and realizing the need for them is HUGE. Great job. I love the laughter part
Kirsten recently posted..{Home Is Where the Heart Is} Photo Display
The laughter really does make a big difference!
Tracie Nall recently posted..A Good American
This one hit me between the eyes, “Negativity does not equal practicality.” Wow. I’ve never thought of that before, but I think that is exactly what I’ve been doing too. Gotta work on changing that.
Tara R. recently posted..Harbinger
I’ll be working on it right along with you!