Before being Sheltered in Place, I would venture a guess that if you are like me; you put off doing things for yourself. Spending regular days dealing with family and personal commitments, I always ended up on the bottom of the list, which left little time to do things for myself at the end of the day. It was never because I didn't think I was important, it was mainly because, I "ran out of steam" and struggled to find time for me.
Like many of us, I have been forced to rethink my day and adjust my priorities. Some of the changes that are working for me are shared here:
Establishing a morning routine
If you know me, you will not be surprised that my morning routine was usually one or two cups of coffee, check messages and then start my day. That has changed somewhat and for the better. I now start my day with a good breakfast (mom would be proud of me), then I take some time reading positive messages before I read news or emails. This has become a habit that lets me start my day with a positive attitude.
Organize my day
I am now more aware of how my time is being spent. It can be easy to get caught in a cycle of continuous activity and caught up in surfing through my social media accounts. There is now a small clock within my line of vision to help remind me to walk away from the computer after a period of time (for me its a half hour, for you it might be different). That is the easiest way to schedule a break to allow myself to refresh and Maggie seems to think it's a good idea because I can play with her (more about that in another post).
Develop some good habits
If I follow the mindset that something good will come out of being Sheltered in Place, then better sleep habits and better diet choices will be my take away. I find that I don't stay up as late as I used to and I am feeling rested when I wake in the mornings. My meals are more balanced and frankly, I am not missing fast-food or the pastry that I would get with my Starbucks coffee.
Look at things realistically
There’s no point committing to something that is unachievable or will put much pressure on yourself. Everything we do for ourselves should be with a goal in mind. Spend some time considering goals that are challenging, but possible for you to reach. Add things to your routine that will work for you and be adaptable for this new Shelter in Place lifestyle.
Take advantage of the fact that you now have some hours in the day to make time for your own self-care and include it into your day to day routine. This is a new experience for us and we should make the most of it.
Be well. Stay healthy and take care of yourself.
I remain Sheltered in Place
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