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Add Moments of Self-Care Throughout the Day

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Is your schedule packed with so many activities it?s hard for you to even breathe, much less enjoy your day-to-day life? ?A lot of us think of self-care as something we should only do when we get everything else done. And if you?re like most of the women I know, the?very last?person you take care of is yourself.

Because our lives are so busy, it?s not always easy to make time for yourself, but it?s important, and you?re worth it!

Journaling for Self-Care

Today, I?m sharing a few of my favorite ways to sneak in some moments of self-care throughout the day, but first, let?s start out by making sure we are clear on one thing.

Self-care is about making your life?easier, not harder. ?Make sure self-care is not just one more thing you feel like you have to do ?right? or ?perfectly? or even that you have to follow some specific plan. ?The most amazing thing about self-care is that it can be whatever YOU need it to be. ?

Self-care is simply about remembering that we deserve to take care of ourselves, and when we do, it not only nourishes us, but also allows us to be available for important things in our lives.?

What exactly is self-care?

The term ?self-care? refers to anything we do?intentionally?to care for our physical, mental and emotional health. ?The key word there is intentionally.

You might trip across a self-care practice now and then, but it?s critical?to schedule it in your day?it?s that important!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to add bits of self-care throughout my day:

Morning routine?? I wrote an entire post about my morning routine, so I won?t repeat that here, but?check it out if you want to see what my routine involves.??Let?s just say that it gets my day off to a great start. ?I actually look forward to getting up in the morning!

Exercise?? Working out is part of my morning routine, but it?s worth mentioning on it?s own. ?There are many reasons I exercise, but the main reason is because it makes me happier. ?

Planning my Day?? I always have my day planned ahead of time in my?bullet journal.??I find that writing things down helps free up my mind so I can focus and be more present. ?

How to add moments of self-care throughout your day.

Reading?? Since I was a very little girl, I?ve escaped into good books. ?I like the break it gives me from my own life, and I love learning new things.

Quiet time?? My kids think I?m crazy, but I never listen to music in the car. I actually love driving my kids places and having the time alone as I drive back home to think and reflect and just enjoy a few minutes of quiet with no electronic distractions!

Daily Reflection?? At the end of each day, I use a reflection page in my journal to write down highlights from the day. ?I include wins, challenges, my favorite moment, and key lessons from the day. ?I?ve found this practice really helps me recognize?all the good things happening in my life, and make adjustments where necessary. ?

How to add moments of self-care throughout your day.

Make Yourself a Priority ?

As you can see from my list, the possibilities are endless. ?This is where self-awareness comes in. ?Only you can know what recharges your battery and it?s your responsibility to build that into your life. ?Never forget?YOU matter!

It’s Not Your Job to Like Me

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I’ve spent most my life seeking approval from others.  For me, this looks like feeling anxiety, worrying, trying to please everyone, not taking time for myself, overworking, trying to be amazing, and avoiding things I’m not good at.

Sound exhausting?? It is.

I’m learning that I need to have my own back, give myself approval, and ultimately learn to like myself (whether I achieve something or not.) It’s not easy, and I’m getting coaching to help.

It's not your job to like me, it's mine. --Pema Chodron

Strategies I’m Using to Like Myself?

1) Keep a Self-Reflection Journal

A few times a week, I write?the things I’m most proud of. Choices I’ve made.? Insights I’ve learned.? Things I like about myself.? Times I’ve had my own back and stayed true to myself and what I need.

2) Let go of seeking validation from others

This means noticing my thoughts, feelings, and actions.? When I notice I’m doing something because I want to influence how someone else sees me, I take a step back to check in with myself and make sure I’m doing things I really want to do, and for the right reasons.

3) Say yes, or no, and mean it!

Make decisions based on what is best for me, not just because I want someone to like me.? Saying no is always okay.? You might have to feel a few seconds of discomfort, but that’s much better than saying yes and feeling resentful later.

“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.”? –Bren? Brown

4) Do things I’m not already good at

I’ve spent my entire life only doing things I’m already good at.? While that feels safe, it doesn’t provide a whole lot of room for growth.? I’m slowly building confidence by doing things even when I’m not very good at them.? The worst that can happen is a feeling, and I’m learning that I can handle any feeling.

Join the Conversation

  • Have you ever struggled with people pleasing??
  • Do you find yourself seeking approval from something outside of you?
  • Do you like yourself?
  • Is it hard for you to say no?

Don’t Let Your Past Define You

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I was inspired by a post on Instagram yesterday.? One of my coaching colleagues, Dr. Sasha Heinz, suggested that we stop and spend a few moments thinking about who we were ten years ago.

Don't let your past define you. Rewrite your story.

Ten Years Ago

This is me in 2008.? I feel sad when I look at this photo.? It was a hard year for me.??My 18-year marriage was over.? I was a single mom of 6.? I cried every time my kids had to go spend time with their dad.? I was working two jobs–one of them graveyard, so I was constantly tired. I stopped going to church, stopped praying, stopped being me.? It felt like I was barely surviving.

Kimberly Job, 2008

I was spiraling in doubt, confusion, rebellion, and overwhelm.? The life and family I had planned on was over.? I was drowning financially.? I lived in a house I hated.? I was mad, and sad, and didn’t have a lot of hope.?

Now, ten years later, my life looks totally different.? I started a business.? I wrote a book.? I have an amazing husband.? Four more kids to love.? Grandkids.? A great job.? Financial security.? So many blessings.?

When I look back now and think about how I got from there to here, it was nothing huge.? It was just a lot of little decisions.??

But most of all, it was just deciding not to feel sorry for myself.? I stopped thinking of myself as a victim.??

I decided my life could be whatever I wanted it to be.??It hasn’t been easy.? There have been a lot of ups and downs.???

What’s so interesting is there are still parts of my life that are hard, and I could tell you a sad story about my life today, but I?choose?not to.??

Likewise, I could have told you the “story” of my life in 2008 from a more positive perspective.? I didn’t see it that way at the time.? I didn’t even know I could.?

But I do know that now.

I love that we can learn and grow, and when we know better, we do better.

Do you believe you can tell the story of your past any way you want to??

Let me tell you my 2008 story again

In 2008 I finally had the courage to leave a very difficult 18 year marriage.? I found two jobs that allowed me to work around my kids’ schedule.? I found an apartment we could afford near my parents who helped pick my kids up from school when I was working.? ?

I used the time my kids were with their dad to fulfill a lifelong dream of writing a novel.? My job ended up being something I could work part-time from home, which gave me some free time to start a business.? That business helped me build the skills which led to the dream job I have today working for The Life Coach School.??

I learned some spiritual lessons that I couldn’t have learned any other way.? I saw many tender mercies from Heaven, including help finding my amazing husband who loves my kids as if they were his own.??

Feels much better, right????

Join the Conversation

What did your life look like ten years ago?? And how are you choosing to tell your story?

We’d love to hear your story in the comments below.