Are you struggling with the demands of running a home, working, and looking after family members, maybe you feel like a busy ant, that you have no time for yourself and your emotional reserves are running on empty, which is making you snap at those closest to you?
Well, I can assure you, you’re not alone, the past couple of years has caused us all to become master jugglers and this has impacted the massive increase in mental health issues and raised our stress levels worldwide.
It’s like our focus has been pulled all over the place.
Personally, I really struggled with my focus throughout the pandemic especially when recovering from a spell of long Covid, which lasted for six months. My to-do list seemed to have grown legs, it was everywhere.
My office (which is in the corner of my living room) totally changed the dynamics of my life, there seemed to be no rest time, even when I had some well-earnt TV time because my work seemed to be waving at me from the corner of the room.
I got so overwhelmed, I started to hide, I started to procrastinate on my work and my mental health started to spiral downwards. My self-care, which is something that I am very passionate about, also went out the window.
Focusing on yourself and your Self-care should never be just another thing to do, it should be your priority. If you don’t look after yourself, how can you be there 100% for others?
So, what is self-care? Self-care is looking after your emotional, physical and mental well-being, it`s doing things that make you feel happy and well, that light up your soul and I don’t just mean having a spa day although I find them to be very relaxing, healthy and fill me up with gratitude.
So, let’s get back to that to-do list, do you add taking care of yourself to your daily to-do list? If not, I highly recommend you do. Where your attention goes, energy flows, what you focus on, you receive. Stop focusing on your problems, your workload, what Doris is doing down the road and start focusing on yourself.
My self-care toolbox includes:
§ Emotional: Activities that help you connect, process, and reflect on your emotions.
§ Mental/Intellectual: Activities to help you keep a clear head.
§ Physical: Practices to ensure your body is functioning at its best.
§ Social: Nurturing relationships (and ending toxic ones). This also involves setting boundaries.
§ Spiritual: Practices that nurture your soul.
§ Professional: Setting boundaries and finding a work-life balance.
§ Financial: Creating a healthy relationship with money to reduce stress and anxiety.
On another note, I’ve finally launched my focus group called Sofala.
Sofala helps solopreneurs over 35 or individuals who don’t have a plan, but have the drive and ambition to become self-employed, to improve their focus, productivity and revenue in a calming supportive environment whilst reducing loneliness and overwhelm.
If that sounds like something that you or a friend can benefit from, please book a call and let’s have chat over a cuppa.