Time for Yourself
Fall is a great time to go within and turn our minds to a little more rest after an activity-filled summer of gardening, camping, kayaking and vacations.
That includes balancing the time I'm available for my clients with down-time for me. As a sole proprietor it all falls to me. Keeping in touch with my clients, marketing, learning, scheduling, posting on social media, sending newsletters out, planning the coming year for workshop dates, creative thinking for new ways to help my clients in their own struggles with anxiety, stress, overwhelm, and physical and emotional imbalances, and so much more.
As a wholistic wellness facilitator, I have to take care of my own needs or I'm no good to others. I've been under the weather for the last week or so, struggling with the need to allow myself the time to rest and the need to stay on top of my business.
I love what I do, but when I get sick, I am forced to take more time for me than I am used to. It's always a challenging reminder on how important it is to put me first. If I'm only a "little" sick, I tend to push myself past it, but when I'm really sick, I can't do that.
I know how difficult it is, for women in particular, to juggle everyone else's needs with their own, and place others first. There are so many judgements and emotions that can surface like guilt, anger, frustration, sadness and resentment, towards others and towards ourselves.
I've learned some tricks over the years to reduce the impact of those judgements and emotions, and most of the time they work. And these apply to the times we are physically sick, or so overwhelmed we just shut down and can't continue:
Put as many of those unimportant tasks aside - the dishes don't need to be done this moment; laundry can probably wait another two days, I have a full closet of clothes; if I miss garbage day, there's always next time. I grew up learning to be a bit of a martyr, so I was always adding more to my to do list instead of taking away.
Work will still be there tomorrow and I remind myself that people are understanding if I have to reschedule appointments.
Ask for help - do I have a friend who can help me with whatever needs to be done (running errands, picking up medicine, tidying the house, laundry, groceries etc).
I had a standing agreement with a friend where if either of us needed help, we would do our best to be there for each other.
I'm a great one for lists, so I can always make a list of what needs to be done when I am better, prioritizing the urgent tasks.
Booking an appointment for a pedicure, manicure, facial, massage or Reflexology so I have something to look forward to.
Focusing on being thankful for the time I am resting (it's better than being dead!). And it's a great time to catch up on books, podcasts, favorite movies.
Above all, reminding myself as often as needed to be kind to myself, today I'm doing the best I can.
I'd love to hear what tools you use to get through these times.
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Not only illness, but chronic anxiety and overwhelm impacts our ability to function like we normally do. We can't be our best and we can't help others if we don't look after ourselves.
My clients are experiencing their own pain, trauma, overwhelm, anxiety and imbalances. When they book an appointment, whether that's for Reflexology, Quantum-Touch® Energy Healing or Touch for Health®, I need to be at my best to help them. And sometimes that means I must step back and do a better job at looking after myself.
Find out ways you can take time to look after yourself - https://www.alisonzeidler.com/