Self Care Friday

I have posted about Self Care Friday before, and with good reason. Self care is a passion of mine, something I believe lies at the foundation of so many of our stresses. I know from whence I speak let me tell you. I've gotten myself into less than stellar moods and when I took the time to look at my situation, there was always an element of forgetting to take care of me. I have tried to keep Fridays sacred for self care time for quite some time. This doesn't mean I don't work, I still do my coaching but I try to keep some flexibility in my day to allow for the guidance of my inner self.

This past Friday, I had a truly outstanding call with a client followed by an inspiring call with a coach buddy of mine. I then spent some time writing some material and then headed out for some errands. The fun thing about this and the pampering aspect, was I didn't feel compelled to finish and hurry back to work. At one point my objective was to buy some nice bread for dinner. Bread for me is not necessarily the staff of life. I can take or leave a slice of regular bread. But really nice, aromatic freshly baked bread, oh my goodness, that makes for a nice meal. I went to the Nugget, a more upscale grocery store here, and had the best time just browsing. I got a lovely garlicky bread, then wandered, admiring the ice cream flavors, reviewing the magazine section, smelling and trying on the lotions in the natural foods section. It was a sensual experience and it made me feel I was being good to me -- reward for a week of working hard. The bread was a perfect accompaniment to the roasted vegetables I made, sweet potatoes, onion, red potatoes, broccoli and turnips, along with tender tilapia. Later in the evening I enjoyed a cup of fragrant tea.

These little gestures are really all it takes: an ability to listen to your inner voice and what it is seeking, and a space of allowing yourself that time, GUILT FREE.

Please let me know what your favorite self-care rituals might be. If you find it a struggle to take that time, let me know that too. I'd love to support you in your journey to becoming your best and happiest self.

Dealing with Stress in Turbulent Times

I'm pretty sure no matter who you are, what your business/job might be, or what your "portfolio" looks like, it's hard not to get a bit stressed with what is going on right now. That is all we hear on the news and all that the papers have to offer. I don't get the paper anymore, but on my walk this morning, walking past one on a driveway I saw the headline, something about "country seized with fear". Oh my gosh I thought, is that ever a way to create your reality NOT based on what I want my reality to be. The reality is, the more we focus on what is wrong, the more that is what we notice, and the more we are plugged into the ugly feelings and the more that is what we get. You Law of Attraction student got that right?

I know we need to take care of ourselves financially and be prudent and smart. But the more this fear grips us as a nation, the more that is what we will have and live in -- FEAR

So here are my tips for dealing with this hard to avoid stuff.

1. Take care of yourself. That should always be number 1 on your list. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself economically, whatever that may be. Consult someone who you trust on issues related to your financial picture if it will make you feel better. Do what you need to do. Then LET IT GO.

2. Limit the exposure you have to the news - papers, news on TV and discussions with people in your life. I like to listen to NPR while driving. It gives me the highlights, as well as some good in depth news, but there is variety, and it's not all what's wrong or bad. I don't generally watch the news on TV -- the debates lately, but that's it. I don't need the constant droning in my brain about all that is bad. Inform yourself, and then focus your attention elsewhere.

3. With regard to limiting discussions with people in your life, just notice when people are going on with the "isn't it awful?" dialog. It is easy to get caught up in this dialog and not good for you. Notice how you start to become angry or worried and tense up as the conversation escalates. When you notice this and your response to it, change the subject to something more pleasant or walk away. This behavior doesn't mean we are avoiding reality. It means we are choosing to focus on what is working while handling what isn't quiety.

4. Find time for fun. Getting worried about money or other concerns robs us of our ability to be our natural fun and playful selves . We need time for fun, alone or with others. Do something that makes you feel good everyday. Read a funny book. Watch a funny movie. Laugh with friends. Dance. Watch kittens, puppies or little children playing. They haven't forgotten how to have fun.

5. Breathe. Take time to be still. If we are always going and moving and doing, we don't have time to relax and find our center, that place where we can connect with our authentic self and remember who we are. A few minutes of stillness everyday does wonders.