These actions will make my year healthier and happier.
I have no word for 2018 currently. Have you picked one? I just can’t seem to settle. In the past, I’ve used kindness (which applies all the time) and in some years I was barely looking for a new action word- I wasn’t looking for change or growth, just the ability to love and accept the amazing place I was then in (and frankly, still am).
However, I have given thought to things I want to do for myself this year and have decided to make those a priority. I think sometimes we forget that taking care of ourselves isn’t an indulgence to cut off the to-do list when life gets hectic or stressful. I could argue that in those times, it’s crucial to move self-care to the top of the list, immediately.
So here are the things I am going to personally prioritize this year. I have left off some common points – spending quality time as a family, whether we are travelling or at home, will always be on my list so let’s just keep that as a default. Same with things like cooking more in the kitchen and trying new recipes, or reading books I love. Those are given. The following list is what I need to make more of an effort to do. So I am writing it here as accountability.
Taking care of my health with fitness
Sure, I can cook more readily and with better ingredients to ensure we are eating healthy, I try to do that every year. But what I know I really need to focus on this year is moving. Getting fit. As I have recently said to people, I feel soft, so I want to work on that. I worry about heart health, and while I can control some of that with diet, I want to make sure I am moving more. When the kids are off in the summer, we do a pretty great job playing games and staying active. In these long winter months however, I am far less committed. That has to change.
Pampering myself
I already have a routine that includes a lot of pampering, I won’t try to pretend that I deprive myself of those moments. I have regular hair appointments at a fancy salon, I like to go to the spa and I take bubble baths all the time at home. That’s one of my most favourite ways to de-stress and relax. But I know that I need to focus on those moments more and live within them. A bubble bath is easy to enjoy for me (my kids are old enough that I don’t have them coming into the bathroom looking for me) but simple routines that make me feel rejuvenated and refreshed will be focused on. Instead of seeing those 15 minutes of pampering time as wasted because I have to go do other stuff, I will learn to see those 15 minutes as a gift to myself. I love smelly lotions and finding new scents bring me joy. I also like it when I stick to a nightly pre-bedtime routine. Washing my face, using toner and moisturizer, putting on smelly lotion and getting cozy in my fuzzy socks and pjs is going to become more of a ritual.
It also means wearing clothes that make me happy, that fit properly for my body post-children (I can’t even say I have post-baby body any more. I have a ‘mom of pre-teens’ body!) and understand what brings me joy and comfort when I wear certain things (like my fuzzy socks!)
Getting things DONE by STARTING.
I need to stop procrastinating big goals, ideas and activities. Or worrying about finishing something that I’ve started. Or not taking the risk because I worry about the outcome. I need to jump in with both feet – whether that’s family activities, or projects around the house or work items. I want to keep writing, keep pushing myself to work smarter (without giving up the time that I value to ensure I’m home with the kids before and after school) and to accomplish things that I know I can if I just START in some cases. Overcoming fear has always been an issue for me. I need to work on that more.
Do you have a list for this year? What would your ‘focus on you’ list look like?
