One of the questions I hear often from busy, professional women is this:
“I know that I need to take better care of myself. But I’m just so overwhelmed with my life. I’m not really sure where to start?”
The most effective strategy I know to find my way out of the middle of the muck and mire of my life (as we all end up there from time to time), is to write. Grab a journal and put pen to paper and let it flow. The writing doesn’t have to be long-or good-to be effective.
It’s simply a means to get the gobbledygook out of your head and into another form where you can look at it more objectively and see clarity and find a pathway through.
I have journals of all shapes and sizes (make sure you like the colors, textures and paper of your journals or else you won’t write in them!). I carry a small journal with me in my purse so that I’m more likely to jot things down. I keep a larger “creativity” journal by my desk which I use to flesh out more business related and work ideas.
Here are four good reasons to journal:
1. To process. Whether you are processing your emotions, your decisions, big changes or other transitions, journaling is a safe way to “let it all out”. If you are experiencing one of life’s big events-preparing for the arrival of a child, parenting, caring for an aging parent, starting a new job, going through a divorce, dealing with health challenges, struggling with a relationship, grieving the loss of a loved one-journaling can be incredibly cathartic and healing. The act of getting emotions out of your body onto paper allows for some relief and perspective.
2. To plan. Whether it’s your grocery list, a new class you are teaching, a holiday shopping list, your next big vacation or your retirement, a journal is a great place to capture your ideas in once place. It’s an excellent place to do some self-care planning for a day, a week, a month or a year!
3. To track. A journal is a great place to measure progress. It’s always good to date your journal entries so that you can see your progression in a given area. You might track the books you read and the gems you got from them, the food you eat and/or the exercise you do and how it makes you feel afterward, and the amount of “me” time you have and the positive impact it has on your spirit.
4. To celebrate. Keeping track of things you’ve done or accomplished in a journal is a great way to give yourself a pat on the back and say “I ROCK!” Great examples include “I did this!” or “I changed this!” or “I’m becoming this!” or “I created this!” It’s a great way to toot your own horn as loudly and proudly as you want to! If you give yourself a high-five each time you positively invest in your well-being, you are more likely to continue the pattern!
Revitalizing Action: Here are 8 questions to help you gain some clarity around your self-care. Grab your favorite journal, a cup of tea and sit down for 20 minutes and answer these questions. You may be surprised by some of your answers and hopefully there will be a gem or two that will point you in the right direction about getting refocused on your self-care journey.
- If you asked your body, what would it tell you about how you practice self-care? Record both positive and negative messages. (No judging here… just notice!)
- What are 3 things you are really good at regarding your self-care? What are 3 things you would like to incorporate more into your self-care routine?
- In what ways do you think your self-care practices, or lack of, impact those you love? (Again, no judging allowed!)
- I know when I am not taking care of myself when…
- What color comes to mind when you think about self-care? How might you add more of that color to your life?
- If self-care was a food, what would it be? How would it taste? Describe it in detail. (Yum!)
- Who are your self-care role models? What do they do that you admire? (These can be friends or family members or it can be a favorite public figure that you follow.)
- Imagine you are a Self-Care Queen… how do you feel and what does your life look like? What is different from how you currently live your life? (What is one small step you will take today to claim your sovereignty?)
Here’s to Writing Your Way to Better Self-Care!
Elizabeth