If you are like me, you are wondering, how did I get to the beginning of the second quarter of the year so fast? I feel like the first three months of the year flew by, and I can’t remember much about it. This prompted me to do a self-check to see how I am doing so far in 2024.
During the last weeks of 2023, I spent time purging my home and getting things in order. My mother raised my siblings and me to go into the new year with our house clean and money in our pockets (or bank account). That is advice that has always stuck with me. At the end of 2023, I donated old clothes, cleaned my office, and purged papers that I no longer needed. I felt like more than ever, I would have to prioritize this year to be a time to focus on finding peace, joy, and reducing stress and anxiety. I made a self-care checklist for myself then, to hold myself accountable over the course of 2024 to achieve what I knew I needed to do for myself.
My self-care checklist consists of the things that I promised myself I would do at the close of 2023.
- Focus on good relationships. This includes both family and friends. We all have those people in our lives that drain our good energy. Am I focusing on those who bring good energy and positive vibes into my life? Those people who, when I see them, make me smile and feel good. I am practicing pouring into good people who pour good energy into me.
- Disconnect from work. I am closing my laptop on Fridays no later than 5 pm and I try my best not to open it again until Monday morning. I need to honor myself, my partner, my team, and my clients by not sending emails during the weekends, days off, and during holidays.
- Practice gratitude. I received a Wishing Ball and Gratitude Globe for Christmas last year, and I love it. Each one comes with a small pad of paper for you to write your wishes or things you’re grateful for. I write down these wishes or thoughts of gratitude, roll them up, and place them in a small hole in the bottom of each. Make gratitude a habit. Each time you give thanks you make a deposit at the bank of good luck.
- Calm my mind. Being intentional about calming my mind manifests in a lot of small practices and habits, like having no-cell phone and no-television time, laying on the sofa, listening to jazz, meditating, or taking a walk in the park.. We all need a part of our day where we can calm the mind and be at peace.
- Eat healthy and drink water. If you know me, you know I love a good meal. Since the pandemic, I have fallen in love with cooking. I also purchased a water bottle to make sure I drink the right amount of water daily. This year, I am focused more than ever on eating healthier and cooking more, not just for my health, but for my wallet.
- Exercise. Exercise makes me feel good, so I do it. I had back surgery this year and I have not been able to any weightlifting. Two months after my surgery, I am in physical therapy and slowly getting back to my workouts. Working out is my time to zone out and put all the focus on me. Honestly, one of the reasons I work out is so I can eat what I want, just not all the time.
- I can say no. One of the things I love about getting older is that I can say no and not feel bad. I also have the right to change my mind at any time. No one should feel obligated to do things because others want you to. I have found more peace lately staying home and relaxing. I’ve learned that I don’t need to attend every party or social gathering.
- Proper sleep. I had to prioritize getting sleep and relaxing. I never realized how important sleep is until I developed sleeping problems. When I get a good night’s sleep, I feel better, I am more productive, I think more clearly, and I make better decisions.
- Read. I really enjoy audio books. I used to love to read a book but now audio books are my favorite. I love reading and sometimes it’s good to turn off the television to read.
- Do nothing at all. If you live by a schedule and fill it with things to do, you can forget the art of doing nothing. I love a good staycation where I am in the comfort of my home, in my PJs all day, watching good TV. Remember, it’s your time and you can do whatever you want!
Self-care and self-love are not just trendy terms, they are a must do. We should always put ourselves first because we owe it to ourselves and we can’t be any good to others if we are not good to ourselves! So, how are you doing four months into the new year? How are you checking in on yourself to make sure you are not slipping back into old routines and not taking care of you?
