Do Something Nice for Yourself! Part 1 of 2.

Life is busy. As a mom, I tend to make sure everyone, even the husband, has everything they need or want, before checking in with myself. I doubt I'm alone in that tendency. Do any of you find yourself, at the end of a long day, just falling into bed without having done much of anything for yourself over the course of that day, that week, or even that month?

I've tried to be more mindful of myself, lately, because I find myself acting, shall we say, cranky. Who needs a time out? I do!

Here's my started list:

1. Give my feet a massage after every shower with a deep moisturizer.
-My reasoning? My feet bear the literal burden of a busy life every day without a second thought on my part, until they start to hurt, which they really did this past weekend after the culmination of several distinct projects. It's been 3 days of massage, and instead of hurting today, they feel ready to go.

2. Have a second cup of coffee.
-My reasoning? Lately my first cup is gulped down so fast I don't even notice I'm drinking it. My second cup reminds me to slow down and enjoy it.

3. Read something frivolous.
-My reasoning? I've been studying for my online courses, for personal growth, for business growth, for helping the kids in school, for helping the husband finish our basement. It's time to give my brain a break and read something for fun that doesn't require anything from me in return.

4. Go out with an old friend.
-My reasoning? Old friends know you best, warts and all. Your childhood friends saw you and loved you when you hit your awkward growth spurts and developed emotional rollercoasters during puberty. Your college or university friends saw you make bigger choices, from career path to bad dates to spouse, and even if you didn't see eye-to-eye, they wanted what was best for you, and were there for you after bad breakups or job losses. 


Sometimes you lose touch for a few years when you hit adulthood, but when you meet again it's like no time has passed, and the older you get the more you realize that life is short, shorter than we thought when we were kids, not enough time to do everything you thought you could, or be everything you wanted to be. But old friends reconnect us with ourselves, and help to keep us whole as we ourselves grow older.


5. Make a new friend.
-My reasoning? Relationships are always evolving, and sometimes you lose touch with old friends. New friends also help to teach us new things about ourselves, maybe take us out of our comfort zone. And down the road, new friends become old friends.


6. Do something new and scary.
-My reasoning? Stepping out of your comfort zone is scary, but it helps you grow and mature. I've joined an adult tap class, and I have never tapped in my life. I joined a local mom's group, and I didn't know if anyone I knew would be there. I watch myself take on these activities and I am amazed that I'm actually doing it. I'm proud of myself for being a bit freaked out and doing it anyway. Here's an interesting article from Huffington Post with some specific reasons to go for it.


7. Eat well, and eat often.
-My reasoning? I'm a meal planner, and I love food. From helping to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, to enjoying a healthier life with adequate nutrition, eating well encompasses a wide range of recommendations. Start with the basics- drink lots of water, eat vegetables and fruit with every meal and snack, and enjoy a wide range of protein sources. Don't limit yourself to the same foods every day, because eating a variety of foods ensures you ingest a variety of nutrients that are needed to function in everyday life- not just to get by, but to function well.


I hope you've enjoyed Part 1. Do you feel inspired to try anything on my list? What can you add to it? I know it's far from complete.

Part 2 will explore doing something nice for your family. Stay tuned!

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