You know that feeling you get when you’re back from a vacation and seem to have the right perspective on what’s truly important? After a weekend of cabin camping in the woods this weekend with my family – our only true “vacation” in 2020 – I’m hoping to hold on to this feeling for as long as possible.
I had a to-do list a mile long when I returned to work this morning, but today it didn’t bother me. I took it one step at a time, recognizing that it will all be sitting there waiting for me tomorrow…and the next day…and the next day. I want to prioritize being with my family and taking time for activities I enjoy.
Always the early bird, this weekend I was up before the others and able to sit outside in a rocking chair watching the sun come up between the trees with glimpses of the lake down below. It was chilly with my breath dancing in the air between sips of coffee. I enjoyed the silence as the clouds completed their metamorphosis from blue to pink to white.
As I was sitting there, I was thinking about a Reply All podcast I’d listened to recently called Happiness Calculator vs. Alex Goldman. The episode talks about a scientific attempt to measure the world’s happiness and sadness, but it ends with a discussion of self-care. The podcast hosts discuss their newly found ways to provide self-care, ranging from scented candles to baths, but they ask for “varsity-level” self-care tips.
Here’s my take. Scented candles, baths, lattes, and mani/pedis are all great, but they are not where it is at. Not for me anyway.
True “varsity-level” self-care is simple in theory but difficult in practice. It comes down to eating well, exercising, getting good sleep, and finding some daily time to unplug. It’s hard to go to bed at a decent hour when you just want some alone time. It’s hard to spend time making a healthy meal when it’s easier to call for takeout. It’s hard to work in time to exercise when you feel like you’re either working or watching children from sunup to sundown.
However, I feel better when I’ve slept at least seven and a half hours, eaten a plate full of veggies, or taken a walk with my pup.
I sometimes need to convince Present Me that Future Me would really appreciate this type of self-care. It is too easy to fall into the trap that Future Me will be strong and go to bed early, mediate, skip dessert, and take a walk. I’m not always able to convince myself to invest in Future Me, and I just skip it all to binge Netflix while snacking all night.
I have made strides though, in large part because I’ve made minor adjustments to my bad habits.
Have a hankering for an evening treat? Try drinking sparkling water first to see if that satisfies. If not, try some nuts or fruit.
Don’t feel like exercising? Walk on the treadmill while watching a favorite show or make laps through the neighborhood while walking the dog.
Want to eat better? Make one meal a week meatless. Once this becomes a habit, then add one more fruit or vegetable than you normally would for the day.
This approach takes time and discipline, but it’s certainly easier when I don’t have to think about it. When I always put some type of fruit on my morning cereal, it doesn’t become a choice or something to think about each morning. It’s just what I do, and I’m better off for it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s getting close to bedtime. I’m going to read (and hopefully FINALLY finish up Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton) before I pass out.
Take care of yourself out there.
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Reflect. Plan. Live. 