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This month my goal was to prioritize my own health. By giving myself time in the morning to drink tea, take a bath, and do yoga for a half hour. In the evenings, going for a walk, usually another cup of tea, and working through lessons in a “healthier you” course.
As I mentioned in my January goals two weeks ago, I am taking a course on how to create a “healthier you”. I was not quite sure what the lessons for the course would be, I just knew I loved Crystal Paine’s other courses (Make Over Your Mornings, Make Over Your Evenings, and Make Over Your Year) so I signed up! I was surprised this week when the course began. Instead of jumping into talking about exercise or food she began with asking what makes us happy, what feeds our souls – taking care our mental health first. Becoming healthy from the inside out. Allowing ourselves to become a priority in our own lives is the only way to start a healthier life. No workout plan or diet will make us feel healthier if we are not happy in the life we have.
During most of the videos I felt like she was talking directly to me. Day 4 was about letting go of negativity. When reflecting on an experience, or telling someone about it, how often do we want to complain and only share how “hard” it was for us? For me, all the time! This also happens with our perceptions of other people’s actions. When someone cancels at the last minute, or doesn’t call back I jump to conclusions and take it personally. Crystal suggested, that instead of making assumptions about a situation try not to think negatively about it. Instead, try to find clarity. If someone hurts you, find clarity by digging a little deeper instead of making up your own story, ask what is going on. Maybe something came up that they had to attend to, and it has nothing to do with you!
I never realized I was in a cycle of doing exactly what she was talking about. Mental health is not talked about much, and its importance not understood. I think people are afraid to talk about it. I have struggled with major depression and anxiety over the past several years. Not knowing how to cope with it I cut myself off from most social media. Constantly deleting Snapchat whenever I became frustrated, and even deactivating my Facebook. I lost touch with most of my friends. Being left alone gives me too much time to dwell on my own assumptions. Whenever I feel hurt I don’t cope well with it. I don’t give myself the time to grieve, I just ignore it and hope it goes away.
After noticing this pattern I tried to stop thinking negatively. I can’t say my thinking has changed already, since it has only been a few days, although I was able to stop myself from creating a story in my head after being disappointed. Instead of dwelling on my thoughts, I watched a movie with my family, then hopped on my mat. Yoga has helped me through out the year to gain control of my thoughts. Using breathing techniques to calm my mind, and movement to rest an anxious body.
The journey to becoming healthier starts from the inside. Learning what hurts and what fuels us, and focusing our energy on the good. Release negative thoughts. Start with you. Make yourself a priority.
Think about what feeds your soul.
What hurts are you holding onto, how can you grieve them and move on?
What is it that makes you truly happy?
Even if your schedule is busy take some time to yourself. Think of some things you can do each day to fill your soul before pouring into others or tackling your to do list.
Listen to music, read, drink tea, take a bath, go for a walk, practice yoga, lay on the floor and think. It doesn’t matter, just give some time to yourself!
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You did an amazing job of making sense of your thoughts and probably the thoughts of many of us on this journey. Thank you for your transparency, vulnerability and encouragement. What a gift to NOT be on this journey alone.
Job well done Rebecca and continued success on reaching and maintaining the goals you mentioned at the start of the year.
Thank you for the reminder that we are all in this together! We are not alone.
Thank you so much Rebecca for sharing. I also love make over your mornings. I actually signed up in desperation of how do I find myself again after being a wife, mother , teacher and studying as well. I was and can still be very exhausting. I was very interested in the healthier me course, but thought, I’m already so busy. Now that I read your story I really wish I did. Thank you for reminding me that I need to take time for me. Which is something I keep denying myself of. Continue to enjoy the course. I hope that I can still follow it one day. It sounds very interesting and just what I need.
There is always the opportunity to give some time, energy and love to yourself. Give yourself a few reminders through out the day to think positively. Forgive and move on from what is not in your control. And set aside a few minutes here and there to take care of your needs! Give yourself some love first, and you will have more love to share! Thanks for reading!
If you would like to sign up for her course in the future, I believe there is a waiting list and she will email when it becomes available again.