Its all too easy to get caught up in everyone else. You get lost in the mix when all you do is focus on others at work, make sure your kids have anything and everything they could possibly need, and ensuring your husband doesnt have to worry about things you should be able to care of.
Take a minute a selfishly indulgent minute for you. Just for you. Hit the reset button and recharge a little by focusing just on you.
If any of these 6 truths sound all too familiar, be sure to take the prescribed medicine listed at the end.
1. Ages and ages
If a brief chat with friends leaves you thinking its been ages since I even had time to think about spending a minute to myself, its definitely time to change that.
Take an extra 15 minutes off lunch at work, or cash in a favor for someone to stop by and watch your kids so you can have 30 minutes for you. Dont spend this time running errands or responding to emails, but spend it for you. Whether that means listening to a podcast in your car or catching up on that television show you feel guilty watching, just do it. Come back refreshed and just a little more selfish.
2. No, No, No
Now, saying no all the time is the opposite prescription for a little selfishness. The idea is that you are spread too thin because you havent been selfish enough; giving you zero time for yourself, not allowing yourself to consciously think about how saying yes all the time is affecting you.
If you are constantly running around, life becomes a to-do list to be crossed off, rather than enjoyed. At any point if this is sounding all too familiar, you are going to need to say no. Not to something huge (like your daughters ballet recital), but say no to one of the dozens of little favors youve been asked to do so you can truly enjoy what you do say yes to.
3. Give, give, give away
It certainly is the time of year for giving, but that doesnt mean you cant be on the receiving end of things too.
Dont go out and buy yourself a lavish gift, but send a little something your way to remind yourself of your accomplishments. Send a thank you to yourself for all you are doing. It might seem silly, but wrap up a little token in bright paper to be opened up later in the week, or send yourself a card in the mail.
4. "Call me on my cell"
Technology makes everyone incredibly accessible. While its a handy tool for keeping in touch with everyone at all times, it also means you really arent alone and undistracted with that thing in your pocket.
Turn off your phone. Dont let yourself be pulled away from you by a tag on Instagram, an email you couldnt reply to tomorrow, or a text that doesnt have to be read immediately.
If work hours are over, kids wont be needing rides or emergency runs to the store for the bake sale tomorrow, turn off your phone. Open up a book, run a hot bath, or flit through that magazine with no buzzing, beeping, or ringing to pull you away from a selfish minute with yourself.
5. Sharing is caring
Sharing your time, resources, and talents with others is a lovely way to let others know you care and want to help. Why wouldnt that same mentality apply with yourself?
Share your own talents with yourself to give yourself a little more love and care. Do something just for you.
Artists, while painting the set for the school play is admirable, keep a sketchbook just for you to share a little of your talent just with yourself.
Musicians, learn a piece youve wanted to learn, not one you need to for the church Christmas program. Share your time, talents, and resources with yourself occasionally to show yourself you care.
6. Smiles (almost) all around
Sure, everyone else is happybut are you? With all the hustle and bustle, to-do lists, and responsibilities are you happy?
If you are pushing yourself to the limit to make everyone else happy but arent sharing in that same level of happiness, something needs to change. Theres no use helping everyone else if it is making you unhappy. Take a friend out to lunch; get yourself some time with a puppy (who can be sad with a puppy?) or whatever else floats your boat.
It doesnt need to be much, but doing something for yourself and being a bit selfish will help everyone else who depends on you exponentially. Dont spread yourself too thin; you are forgetting about you.
Take a minute a selfishly indulgent minute for you. Just for you. Hit the reset button and recharge a little by focusing just on you.
If any of these 6 truths sound all too familiar, be sure to take the prescribed medicine listed at the end.
1. Ages and ages
If a brief chat with friends leaves you thinking its been ages since I even had time to think about spending a minute to myself, its definitely time to change that.
Take an extra 15 minutes off lunch at work, or cash in a favor for someone to stop by and watch your kids so you can have 30 minutes for you. Dont spend this time running errands or responding to emails, but spend it for you. Whether that means listening to a podcast in your car or catching up on that television show you feel guilty watching, just do it. Come back refreshed and just a little more selfish.
2. No, No, No
Now, saying no all the time is the opposite prescription for a little selfishness. The idea is that you are spread too thin because you havent been selfish enough; giving you zero time for yourself, not allowing yourself to consciously think about how saying yes all the time is affecting you.
If you are constantly running around, life becomes a to-do list to be crossed off, rather than enjoyed. At any point if this is sounding all too familiar, you are going to need to say no. Not to something huge (like your daughters ballet recital), but say no to one of the dozens of little favors youve been asked to do so you can truly enjoy what you do say yes to.
3. Give, give, give away
It certainly is the time of year for giving, but that doesnt mean you cant be on the receiving end of things too.
Dont go out and buy yourself a lavish gift, but send a little something your way to remind yourself of your accomplishments. Send a thank you to yourself for all you are doing. It might seem silly, but wrap up a little token in bright paper to be opened up later in the week, or send yourself a card in the mail.
4. "Call me on my cell"
Technology makes everyone incredibly accessible. While its a handy tool for keeping in touch with everyone at all times, it also means you really arent alone and undistracted with that thing in your pocket.
Turn off your phone. Dont let yourself be pulled away from you by a tag on Instagram, an email you couldnt reply to tomorrow, or a text that doesnt have to be read immediately.
If work hours are over, kids wont be needing rides or emergency runs to the store for the bake sale tomorrow, turn off your phone. Open up a book, run a hot bath, or flit through that magazine with no buzzing, beeping, or ringing to pull you away from a selfish minute with yourself.
5. Sharing is caring
Sharing your time, resources, and talents with others is a lovely way to let others know you care and want to help. Why wouldnt that same mentality apply with yourself?
Share your own talents with yourself to give yourself a little more love and care. Do something just for you.
Artists, while painting the set for the school play is admirable, keep a sketchbook just for you to share a little of your talent just with yourself.
Musicians, learn a piece youve wanted to learn, not one you need to for the church Christmas program. Share your time, talents, and resources with yourself occasionally to show yourself you care.
6. Smiles (almost) all around
Sure, everyone else is happybut are you? With all the hustle and bustle, to-do lists, and responsibilities are you happy?
If you are pushing yourself to the limit to make everyone else happy but arent sharing in that same level of happiness, something needs to change. Theres no use helping everyone else if it is making you unhappy. Take a friend out to lunch; get yourself some time with a puppy (who can be sad with a puppy?) or whatever else floats your boat.
It doesnt need to be much, but doing something for yourself and being a bit selfish will help everyone else who depends on you exponentially. Dont spread yourself too thin; you are forgetting about you.
