Have you ever noticed how hard you have to work just to take some time off? Lol!
I just got back from a weeks vacation. (This was major progress because last summer we only did a “Daycation” because I hadn’t planned ahead). I’m really celebrating my growth because I actually rested and relaxed and didn’t do so many activities that I would need a vacation to get over the vacation! (Can you relate?) lol
I was so energized when I got back from vacation I spent the next two days doing stuff I had been putting off like clearing clutter from my office, throwing out old stuff and organizing my business activities for the next few months.
By the third day, I was so exhausted, I felt like I needed another vacation!
As I explored with my coach (yes, I need someone to help me see my own blind spots) why that was, I realized that an old pattern of self deprivation had shown up. I had not included any self care or balance in my days since returning from vacation. I had spent longs periods working with no breaks, hadn’t eaten lunch and had worked from early morning till late at night! I hadn’t drank much water, hadn’t exercised or even done my usual morning meditation. Hadn’t taken a walk in the woods (which really grounds me and makes me feel joyful). Hadn’t even been outside! – no wonder I felt exhausted, lacking in enthusiasm and sad!
Interesting… This is exactly how I used to operate in my old business that led to burnout time and again!
How did I get back here again?
It’s so easy to get caught up in what we are doing – especially if you are energized, excited and doing what you love – and get out of balance… Fast!
Even if you do have a self care routine, when your schedule changes for some reason (like going on vacation, or having a family emergency, or getting sick) your routine changes and you can lose your rhythm, your flow, and old habits and patterns can creep in.
The good news is I was able to shift it very quickly and so can you.
This is why it’s so important to pay attention when something is off – like:
-feeling exhausted even though you’ve just had a vacation or a full nights sleep.
-feeling really lonely even though you are surrounded by people,
-feeling lost even though you have “a great life” and “want for nothing”.
-working really hard but not seeing results.
-earning money but never seeming to have enough.
-feeling miserable for “no good reason”.
Because everything begins with awareness. You can’t change what you can’t see.
Once I became aware of (saw) what I was doing, I honored the sadness that I felt for doing that to myself, shed a few tears and, once that energy was released, I felt fine again! My energy was back to normal. I fixed myself a nice lunch, took my vitamins, put a water bottle on my desk (so I would remember to drink more), rescheduled a meeting that evening and went to a yoga class instead. All was well with my world again!
This is the power of self care. It doesn’t matter how many times you have “fallen off the wagon”, once you recognize what’s happened just start again. Today. Now.
It’s not about beating yourself up for “falling off the wagon”.
It’s about paying attention to you, honoring what you are feeling and making adjustments accordingly. One simple step. One small action that helps you step back into your million dollar zone of ease, flow and joyful success.
So check in with yourself now and ask yourself “What do I need? What would make me feel cared for, loved, valued, and appreciated? What am I missing? What am I wanting others to tell me, or give me?” Then, tell it to yourself or give it to yourself. Take one small action…now.
Leave a comment below and let me know what happened as a result of doing that.