Sometimes self-care means taking a break…
other times a break can break you [r willpower]
I took almost a month off from Instagram and blogging over the holidays. I wish I could say that I made an intentional choice to spend time with myself and/or my family. But honestly, I just sort of spiraled out of my routine!
It started with getting sick with the flu for NINE DAYS! I wasn’t able to function at all during that time. I wasn’t eating, moving caused tons of coughing and shortness-of-breath, and my body hurt just sitting. So during that week, I didn’t even think about meditating in the morning. I couldn’t get up and walk in nature because I just couldn’t walk. I didn’t light candles or pull cards because I didn’t leave my bed.
So in that week, I developed new habits—and they weren’t good. They were suuuuuuuuper lazy and not centered around my usual self-care activities. One week bled into another week of not exercising, reading, and journaling. It wasn’t until a friend asked me about my practice that I truly noticed how long I’d been out of it. Sometimes taking a break is EXACTLY what your mind and body needs. Other times, a break can birth negative habits.
In my case, this break was breaking me. So I had to snap myself out of it. All it took was three “easy” steps:
Step 1: Decide to make a change
Step 2: Think about what you what to change
Step 3: Make the change
Step 1: After my friend brought me back to reality, I did some reflection. I decided that I needed to get back to my old, soon-to-be-new normal.
Step 2: I made a vision board (see the b-e-a-u-tiful result below) and focused in on what I wanted to feel, do, and be in the coming year.
Step 3: I slowly started changing my day. I switched from coffee to tea and moved my bedtime up an hour. I picked a new book to start reading and journaling about. I went to the grocery store and picked out healthy foods. I asked a friend to help me stay accountable to working out.
What change do you want to make today? Whatever it is, I know that you are capable of doing it! Much love. xoxo Mo
