Make Today What You Need

Make each day what you want it to be. After a busy weekend of traveling to a softball tournament, coming home, unpacking, and making dinner for my family on Sunday, I have to say I was exhausted by the end of the evening.

I woke up Monday morning exhausted and tired. I started the mindset of, “I wish I didn’t have to do anything today”.  At this time, the school year was starting and teachers and students were needing support. I wanted to be available and mentally ready for my teachers on Monday morning so I can be there to support them with their needs but I wasn’t feeling very enthusiastic about the day. I was tired!

But, guess what?  One of the greatest things that I have figured out in life is how to make each day the kind of day that I need it to be for me. I can make my day and my morning anyway I choose it to be. So, when I realized this I got up and decided to make my husband lunch so that his day would start a little better, I know he was tired, too. Instead of me rushing to get to the gym by 6:30 am, I decided to take today a little slower. I went in to my yoga room and I added some peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils to my diffuser to get that started, while I changed into my workout clothes and decided that today I would just do some yoga stretches at home. I was battling in my mind that due to being out of town, I haven’t been to the gym in two days but through self talk I was able to give myself permission to take it a little slower today. The gym will be there tomorrow or even this evening. There's no sense in trying to fight traffic and getting frustrated on a day when you’re already a little overtired. So I got in my yoga clothes, went into my yoga room, did some gentle stretches and a lot of deep breathing. As I went from pose to pose, my mindset was changing a little bit more.  I was feeling less stressed. As I was feeling better, I decided to lace up my tennis shoes and tell myself I’m just gonna work on getting a few steps in today. When I went out into nature it was a cool crisp morning and I was able to take some more deep breaths.  I finished a mile walk and felt much more accomplished for the day. My mood and energy level was perking up.

Giving yourself grace is going to help your body and your mental health as well. Allowing yourself to be guilt free from the fact that you listened to your body and changed your routine.  Notice I didn’t call in sick to work and I still took time to move my body. But, I was more gentle with myself instead of going at the light speed pace I normally would’ve gone. My usual schedule is: get up at 5:30, get dressed and out the door for the gym by 6:20 and back home by 6:40 and get myself ready for work by 8 o’clock. No, today was much more gentle. I find that when I prepare myself in the mornings, my day runs much smoother when I give myself time on the days when I’m just not feeling so full of energy. Or I should say on the days when I’m lacking energy from a very busy weekend. When I am in a calmer state, I feel better. When I am in control I greet my job with a brighter attitude. I can also better help my own family when I am calm and in control of my emotions. Which means sometimes listening to what your body needs. 

What I have learned: It’s easy to tell other people what they need but sometimes it’s hard to figure out what YOU need every day. Take a good look inside of you,  what do you need today and make that change? 

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