Over the summer, making deliberate choices about my life and activities have fallen by the side of the road. Not deliberately (no pun intended). It just has happened due to a lack of intention. Things have slipped over time, and I am conscious of not being very satisfied with how my life is right now.
I’ve been very conscious of self-care and what it means in relation to the rest of my life over the past few months. I’m still recovering from the effects of severe stress. I find that it means I need to pay more attention to how I am feeling physically and take corrective action. At the same time I feel myself pressured by the stuff, both physical and incomplete, in my life.
Maybe it’s been coming on slowly the past ten years or so, but I find myself in a place where I am very aware that I don’t bounce back as fast as I used to. I find myself conscious of lack of sleep, blood sugar drops and mental fatigue in a way I never have before. I can’t ignore unfinished or unstarted projects the way I used to.
It’s not a life reboot. I did that a couple of months ago and got rid of a bunch of activities that were clutter
So what does that mean?
- I have to get serious about minding my physical state. If I don’t do it, who will? This means priority on sleep, good nutrition, and exercise…and going back to the gym. It also means that need to make sure I take my medicine, which has become somewhat inconsistent, and do appropriate skin care.
- I need to make down time a priority. I find myself retreating into books, but this doesn’t allow my mind to settle and slow down. I have to make calming activities like knitting a priority, even when I don’t want to do them.
- I need to pare down. Not just the stuff that doesn’t bring me joy, but the stuff that is either languishing unfinished or not started. Someday/maybes will be pared down quite a bit as well.
- I have to spend more time socializing. I’ve been spending my free time with my family or alone this summer. With school back in session, I will resume my dinners with my friends as well as choir. I might need to add in something else, so I’ll be seeking a crafting circle.
I’m not making changes for the sake of making changes. This is something that is bothering me and interfering with my ability to get things done. And so it must be.
My question to you…is there anything in your life right now that just feels off? What are you going to do about it?
