Here is the complete posting of all 30 days of Self Care. The original one I based it upon can be found here. If you are just now coming to the party for a month of daily self-care prompts – take a read through them. Do them in the order they appear or do them is any order you like. The point is to pay attention to self-care.
A few years ago, I got very specific about what self-care means to me:
- Eat good healthy, whole foods
- Exercise everyday (walking is great, running is better)
- Take time to connect with others
- Take time for writing and meditation
- Take time to do what you love – I have MANY hobbies
- Take time to connect with family on a daily basis
The great thing about self care is that you get to define what it means to you. Leave me a comment – let me know more about what self-care means to you! Also – if you want to join our private group on Facebook to share your experiences. PM me to join us and I’ll add you to the group.
Day 1 – Plan to Succeed
Decide on a time and place to spend 5-10 minutes a day on your self-care over the next 30 days. Schedule the time in now and honour it. Pop it in the diary, set a reminder, and make it a date!
I scheduled mine at wake up time so that I can start each day with a positive outlook and not let self-care slip to the bottom of the list! Leave me a comment and let me know what you did.
If you haven’t joined us yet for this challenge – please do, you won’t regret taking time for self-care! PM me that you have joined and I will add you to the private discussion group.
Day 2 – Be Positive
Write down three positive words affirming who you are. For instance, “I am creative, loving, and persistent.” Choose words that describe you and your unique awesomeness!
Day 3 – Eat Well
Give your body exactly what it needs to function well. Find a new healthy recipe and make a delicious dinner tonight.
That’s exactly what we plan to do with my in-laws tonight with tomatoes we brought from our garden. Yay!!
#eatwell
Day 4 – Get Outside
Get outside and enjoy the green! I love exercising outside everyday. No inside treadmill for me. I enjoy the open air, the sounds of nature, the greenery, the flora and fauna. And of course I love taking pictures of nature, and most notably flowers.
Day 5 – Feel Proud
What have you accomplished recently? Today is the day to celebrate your achievement!
A couple of weeks ago as part of a coaching retreat we uncovered the need to do a 7-day accomplishment challenge where, for 7 days, we wrote down at least three accomplishments for work and for life.
Two things came out of that exercise that were interesting: 1) self care wasn’t on the list most days; and 2) work-life balance was something that needed to be looked at on a larger scale than daily or weekly. This self care challenge is a way to make sure that self care ends up on your accomplishments list each and every day.
My recent accomplishment that I am most proud of is starting my own company to publish books and practical guides and to coach individuals and teams. I’ve been doing it on the side for a few years and now it is my main focus!!
Today’s pictures are of some of my workshop materials and my new business cards.
Day 6 – Try Something New
Step out of your comfort zone and have fun trying something new. Look for opportunities to say ‘yes’, stay curious and give it a go.
I’m reminded of a saying: “Everything you want is just outside of your comfort zone.”
This year I had “watercolor class” on my bucket list. I do a lot of crafting and creative work but painting isn’t one of them. I took Robin Stearns water color and drawing class (with kids because I couldn’t fit the adult one into my work schedule) earlier this year. I loved it. I learned a bunch of different techniques and had fun.
I urge you to try something new today! I think I talked my hubby into taking Ballroom dancing lessons starting in September. We’ve both taken them in the past but not with each other. It should be fun!
Day 7 – Play that Funky Music!
Listen to your favorite song. Turn it up loud! Sing it and shake it!
I’ve been known to play AC/DC very loudly when I need to get some writing or other work done quickly. The louder the better!
Lately, I do this while washing dishes or cleaning. I just hook my phone up to our Bluetooth speaker and clean away.
I didn’t have any play lists so I might get a couple of songs in a row and then a book chapter and then another book chapter from a completely unrelated book. Drives my hubby nuts. He was begging me to make playlists. (PS – Keir is on the far right in this picture.)
So, I did. I put 415 songs into a playlist called “Random Shit!” Not a book chapter in sight. I made another one called “Hip-Hoppish.” He didn’t like that one at all. I guess I’ll stick to the random one for awhile!! Shake it off may come up and then I’ll have to get up and dance 😉
Day 8 – Do Something You Love
Take some time out to do something you love, such as a crafty hobby, a yoga class or going out for coffee. Pick something that brings you joy knowing you’ll look forward to it all day.
OK – most of you know that I have a great work life balance. It may not seem that way if you look one day at a time but it is if you look at it on a weekly or monthly or longer term basis. And most of you also know my kids are named after National Parks. We scheduled this day of joy doing something we love in a place we love a month prior.
The pictures for today are when Graciela and I and her kids played hooky for the day and went to see the oldest National Park Ranger speak, at the Rosie the Riveter site, and share her first hand knowledge. Fascinating and not to be missed. Visiting National Parks is definitely something I love!!
What are you going to do today that you love? I went to lunch at my favorite place in town, Cuisinett!
Day 9 – Notice Your Skills
What lights you up? What are you naturally good at? Try using these skills and strengths at work today and notice the difference it makes.
I have more hobbies than time! Today I highlight a crazy making skill that I learned from Ginger and Connie for the San Carlos Chickens’ Ball – hat-making!!
Probably won’t be using my hat making skills at work today but I will be using my connection making and storytelling skills today at work coaching people and writing a TED talk.
Day 10 – Nurture Your Body
Boost your nutrient levels and heal your body by drinking a delicious juice or smoothie. So. Much. Goodness!
I love good, fresh food. We currently have Imperfect Produce as our farm share and the Medium box seems like a lot of food. We also have our garden that includes tomatoes, herbs, and kale. All amazing foods to nurture our bodies.
For all of you that think I eat donuts and bacon all the time, I actually do eat healthy 99% of the time. So why is this weight hanging around… I guess I am a woman of a certain age now,.. which really sucks!!! All this exercising and working out does me no apparent good – except don’t mess with me in a dark alley…
Day 11 – Get Active
Run. Walk. Cycle. Stretch. Dance. Move your body and get active in your very own way for at least 30 minutes today.
I love to exercise outside everyday – it feeds my need to be in nature and it feeds my flower picture taking habit!
Day 12 – Get Some Girl Time
Grab your girls and get socializing! Whether it’s a night in or a night out, enjoy some good fun and great company.
OK – this one is an easy self care task for me!! For others not so much. Cultivate your friendships. They don’t happen in a vacuum.
Take the initiative. Don’t just sit around waiting for someone to call you. Pick up the phone and reach out to them. Call someone you want to know better. Trust me, it will be appreciated.
Day 13 – Say NO
It’s a significant act of self-care to know your limits and set healthy boundaries. Say ‘no’ (or at least ’not now’) if ‘yes’ means saying no to your own needs.
It took me many years to learn that no is a complete sentence. No.
No explanation, no excuses. Just plain no.
As school is starting up and many requests start flooding in to lead this, or participate in this group or that project, keep your self-care effort in mind. And just say no.
Day 14 – Tune In
Use an app to guide you through a meditation and replace your stress with bliss in a matter of moments.
Recently I tried Lotus Bud – their meditation app and their reminder app. Lasted a day… i prefer setting a timer for ten to fifteen minutes and then meditating on my own. Breathe in, pause, breathe out, pause. Repeat until the timer goes off. As thoughts come into your head, notice them and let them go.
Confession – easier said than done. Sometimes I have to take notes or write down the brilliant idea that occurs to me when I am meditating.
Day 15 – Reflect
What have you learned this year? Reflect on an important life lesson you’ve discovered and how this wisdom has guided your journey.
My important lesson is to stop pre-judging people and situations. I learned part of this lesson as it relates to lawyering when I was at Intuit – take your client as you find them. I guess it’s taken me a bit longer to figure it out as it applies to the rest of my life.
It’s made me more aware of the assumptions and judgments I/we make on a daily basis.
Day 16 – Sort Out Stress
Identify what’s stressing you out and work towards reducing or removing it.
I find that if I get enough sleep I get less stressed about things. I also find that if I exercise everyday I get less stressed about things.
I think the thing that stresses me the most is lack of control over my schedule; when that starts to happen, my stress levels go way up. I work hard to maintain a schedule that I have complete control over.
Day 17 – Be Kind to Yourself
Be kind to yourself – all day. Constantly choose to practice self-compassion no matter what situation you find yourself in.
I find this difficult to do and it really takes thought and consideration to do at all. Let’s see how it goes today!
Day 18 – Have an Early Night
Sleep helps your mind to rest, your body to repair, your memory to sharpen and it even boosts your immunity. Get to bed early tonight and catch up on your zzz’s.
When I had a fitbit, I had two alarms set for 6 am and 10 pm. One was a reminder to go to sleep and one was a reminder to get up and exercise. I used to got a lot more sleep then.
Well, to be fair, I wasn’t dating my hubby or married to him at the time. Now, I can best describe my sleep schedule as random, and not enough. I have to make a concerted effort to get 7 or 8 hours of sleep.
Day 19 – Write a Love Letter
Grab a pen and paper, and write a love letter to you. Describe the things you love about yourself, what makes you unique, a time you achieved something great, what makes you happiest. Write freely, this is for your eyes only.
I was at the Big Shift Conference in March and at the fireside chat a woman stood up and asked her question about coaching now and having given up a Hollywood career.
Bill Baren had a few questions for her and then said she still had a need to be adored. He said you need to start with yourself – leave the room and go out into the hallway and write yourself a love letter. Start with adoring yourself.
He said when you come back in, I’ll let someone else come up on stage to read it to you. I volunteered to read it for her. That is how I met the wonderful and amazing Elysia Skye.
Bill ended up having Elysia read her own love letter to herself out loud. It was so thoughtful and beautiful. I was blown away by the power of that small act of writing a love letter to yourself.
Try it and see how it feels. I won’t have anyone share unless they really want to!!
Day 20 – Be Creative
Pick up a crafty project and tap into your creativity today.
I have so many hobbies, where do I start?! I always have a bunch of knitting projects going. I have three quilting projects in process. I have tons of photos i can edit and albums I could make.
And this doesn’t even count the home projects and things I want to learn about. Or the writing I want to do. That’s it, I need three of me!!
Day 21 – See Your True Beauty
Take a look in the mirror and focus on your true beauty – no ‘flaws’ allowed. You are unique and perfect as you are; so accept it, respect it and show love to the incredible person looking back at you.
I picked a picture today that I have a love-hate relationship with. I decided to use it because it shows me doing something I love. Having an attitude that has served me well. Wearing no makeup. Shows everything, flaws and all.
This picture reminds me that I am wiiling to put myself out there and try almost anything. This picture is of me pitching at the Lair for the women’s softball team. About 10 years ago our pitcher didn’t show up and they were looking for a pitcher.
I usually play second base but I said, “I’ll try.” I’ve been pitching for our team ever since. So yes, this picture reminds me to put your self out there and try something – you might be good at it.
I feel like my true beauty isn’t in how I look, but in how I am, the attitudes I bring to the table, and how I approach life. And my smile.
How do you see your true beauty?
Day 22 – Be Thankful
List 30 things you’re grateful for in your life and count your blessings, big or small.
Ahh so many things to be thankful for. This one is at the top of my list – My husband and finding love that makes me a stronger person.
Day 23 – Reach Out
It can be hard to reach out and ask for help when you’re the one who always gives. Try reaching out today and take comfort in those around you showing you how much they care.
Day 24 – Visit a Place You Love
Reflect on what makes it a happy place for you and why you love coming back here.
Today’s picture is of us at Lair of the Bear near Dodge Ridge and Pinecrest Lake. We’ve been going the third week of June for 17 years now.
Fun activities, fun friends, relaxation, good times, happy hour, Disco bingo, softball, hiking, tie-dye, someone else cooks, specialty cocktails, card games, softball, scrabble, the beautiful outdoors, entertainment, Lair burgers, —— what’s not to love?!?
Oh – and we got engaged there last summer and had a little wedding celebration this summer!!
Today we are visiting Brent and Juli!
Day 25 – Pamper Yourself
Book yourself a pamper, in a spa or at home. I think i might go get a pedicure today. Sit in one of those massage chairs and just relax!
Today’s picture is how I try to pamper myself everyday. I like a clean kitchen. I love to come out in the morning to a clean kitchen. It’s soothing and comforting.
What do you do to pamper yourself?
Day 26 – Practice Forgiveness
Practice forgiveness towards yourself. Let go of what’s happened already and make a choice about how to respond to yourself in a kind and loving way, starting from today.
Start with your self no matter how difficult you find it. Iit gets easier from there.
Day 27 – Choose to be Happy
Do three small acts of happiness: such as smiling at a stranger, singing in the shower, wearing your favourite top, walking to work the scenic way, eating a cookie, treating yourself to a good coffee – be generous.
Happiness is a choice. Each and every day. Choose to be happy.
Day 28 – Seiz
e this Day!
Look for an opportunity that feels right for you today and when you find it, seize it! Choose something you might usually say no to, such as meeting a friend for lunch when you are busy at work. You’ll feel better for it.
Met Mom and Krista at the Palace of the Legion of Honor for the Truth and Beauty Exhibit and then a fabulous lunch. You gotta play hooky every once in a while!
Day 29 – Write in a Journal
Day 30 – See Your Bestie
Spend time with your favorite person today. Strengthen your relationship with them by sharing moments and making memories. Take a few selfies together – just for fun!
Keir and I take a lot of selfies; well, really, I take a lot of selfies of us. I want to capture the fun and the joy that we have and experience.
(Photo Credit – Julie Engberg)
