Trina Hall Lifting You Up Higher and Higher
Self-Care is vitally important. Many of us were brought up believing that if we put ourselves first, that we are being selfish. As a result, we sacrifice our well-being. We push ourselves beyond our limits to the point of depletion. We work so hard and forget to use the word no. We choose to ignore the fact that we should slow down and we don’t stop until we get sick or become utterly exhausted.
That is what happened to me last weekend. It was Mother’s Day, the one day out of the year when mothers are forced to take a break. I had no choice but to start slowing it down last Sunday. In fact, I was writing this very blog on self-care and I had an epiphany. Why am I not taking my own advice? I had to work an 8 hour shift that day, which was already taking into my Mother’s Day celebration. For over a week, I had been completely lacking energy and was fighting cold and flu symptoms. I work full time, plus I write this blog, magazine articles and I am working on completing my first book. I spend much of my free time coaching, advising and helping people. I am a wife and a mother of two. I also love living my life to the fullest and go out trying to fulfill personal goals. I always forget the fact that I am not invincible and I push myself extremely hard. It was only when I was forced to admit defeat, did I chose to cut back and really take care of myself. And because I refused to listen to all the signs and my internal cries, it took two weeks to fully recuperate.
If you are thinking that it is selfish to take time for yourself, I am here to tell you otherwise. I have learned this lesson many times over. Even though I try to balance my life the best I can, I still need to be reminded every now and again.
IT IS NOT SELFISH TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH
Your health is most important. Remember to not take it for granted.
BURNING THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS
If you are trying to do too much at once, you will eventually get burnt out. It can take weeks or even months to fully recharge. Slow and steady wins the race.
MEDITATE
If you take a few moments a day to slow down and meditate, you will be amazed at the difference it can make in your life. You especially need to do this during times when you feel overwhelmed and have no time for yourself.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
Your body will let you know when you need to take a break.
PUT YOUR OXYGEN MASK ON FIRST
The flight attendant always tells you to put your own oxygen mask on first before you try and assist others. This is not being selfish. This is so you are at your best, with full strength to be there for others.
There are many pressures and demands in life. Many of them we put on ourselves. There are people expecting things from you and you don’t want to let anybody down. But at what point, do you stop and recognize that you need to take care of yourself first? You need to do the things that are important to you and make you happy. You are not being selfish. These things fuel you and give you more energy. They make you happier and a better person to be around. We are all human and can only do so much. Give yourself a break.
Without a doubt, that when you feel you are being “selfish” and thinking of yourself, YOU must remember that YOU COUNT TOO!! I am constantly looking for help and your blogs are doing it for ME. But: What am I doing when I can’t cut off HELPING?? I cope with that each night!! Right now I am caught in a “Real DE lima”! HELP!!!!!!!
You are absolutely right, Don! You count too! If you reach a point when helping others are negatively affecting you or the ones you love, then that may be where you draw the line.
Well done Trina… its so true everything you said. Changing the mindset is the biggest part of the process. Its not selfish to take care of yourself. It is as what will keep us alive to be who are meant to be… Thanks for the reminder <3
Thank you for your positive feedback CherylAnn. It is all about changing your mindset. I often need a reminder of this myself. xoxo