So many times, we rush around taking care of other folks—our families, our careers, our friends—that we find ourselves burning the candlestick at both ends. 

We run around with our heads cut off because we make commitments and obligations to others that we feel we need to keep. Yet, in doing so, we are stressing ourselves out. What about doing what we need to do to take care of our bodies, minds, spirits, and emotions. We can’t do it all, all the time! There’s a time to say “no” to others and “yes” to ourselves.

In my last blog, I wrote about the 75 Hard challenge. I accomplished the challenge for three days and really liked the psychological benefit—proving to myself that if I can do this, I can do anything. However, yesterday, having errands and appointments scheduled for ten hours, I broke my commitment. This weekend, my schedule was packed from morning to night leaving me overbooked and overwhelmed.

Sometimes, you just have to stop the madness and breathe in order to keep one Self in alignment with spirit and purpose. 

So, in order to regain balance, I canceled some obligations which gave me time and space to breathe. I’ll probably go for the 75 Hard challenge again sometime; however, for this moment in time, I’m revisiting their criteria and tapering it to what I can commit to for now. i.e., instead of committing to 45 minutes of exercising outdoors and 45 minutes indoors, I’ll just make sure I walk with my Seeing Eye dog at least 45 minutes a day on the streets of Englewood. If I get 30 to an hour indoors several times a week, then, that’s a bonus. I’ll drink 96 ounces of water a day (not the 128) up from my 75, and again, if I get the 128, another bonus. My food plan is pretty solid, just making sure I make the best choices when I’m out with others. I like the reading ten pages in the inspirational book, so, I’ll keep that. 

In other words, what I’m saying is, do the challenge if it fits for you—because stretching yourself is a good thing, and it’s definitely good to make a commitment to someone else. And, I’m also saying you may need to work yourself up to the challenge, and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

What about you?

How are you doing?

Are you overbooked and overwhelmed?

Do you say “yes” to others and “no” to you?

What are your priorities?

Are you doing what makes you happy and fulfilled?

What do you need to let go of?

At four months into this year, I challenge you to look at where you are. Are you keeping focused on your goals, dreams, and plans for 2022? Are you getting sidetracked with life? Are you being productive? Do you need to take time out for you, revaluate, breathe, and recommit yourself to how you want to grow and evolve? 

Like me, you are number one! In taking care of you, you are taking care of your family, friends, goals, and dreams. Take the challenge of taking care of you, and you’ll change the way you see, and change the way you live.