Put YOU First!

When is the last time you spent time taking care of you?!

Have you painted your nails lately? Rented a movie you like or watched one from your stash? Gotten a massage? Spent a half hour reading a book? Picked up your favorite magazine? Gotten a pedicure? Do you have a special place you can go to that brings you calmness and serenity? 

If you can’t remember the last time you did something for you right now, you need to take action and make a plan. Schedule it in! 

As women, it's important that we don't get lost in the busy culture of today’s world. It seems like it’s always something- work, kids, pets, housework, laundry, cooking meals, cleaning up after meals, a friend that needs this, a neighbor that needs that, etc. While all of these things are completely unavoidable, and in fact, they may bring joy into our lives, we still need time to ourselves to feel our own love and to feel at peace. We need to take the time to breathe, relax, and enjoy the little things in life that we too often forget about.

I know, I know- But if you spend time doing things for you and not taking care of everyone and everything else first you will feel guilty. Things won’t get done and stress adds up.

Here are three tips to take away that burden to help put YOU first:

First:  I’m giving you permission right now to let go of that guilt. Just throw it away! Take those thoughts in your head, crumble them into a big ball, and throw them into the invisible trash can behind you.

Second:  Learn to say no to things. It’s not worth being burned out over. People will understand. I used to always say yes. It leads me to a path of extreme anxiety and I felt like I never had any time to finish anything, let alone make time for myself.

Third:  Delegate tasks and become a bit more organized. Set days to do laundry and days to meal plan and prep. Have a schedule for feeding pets and have others- like your kids or partner pitch in. Don’t feel guilty that they have to help even if they are busy. They will have to learn life balance too, so this will help them- even if they kick and scream to do it. Don’t let them make you feel guilty!

When you start putting yourself first you feel better when you wake up in the morning. You see life in a new light. You don’t let the little things get to you.

Your assignment is to do something for you once a week until you are eventually doing something for you every day. Plan it out ahead of time and write it on your calendar so you follow through.

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xoxo 

Stephanie