Self care

A few weeks ago I wrote about my renewed commitment to spend time every day taking care of me. Except for a few slip ups, I've been excited with how consistently I've honored this pledge to myself.  What has amazed me is that even though I am taking time out of each day to pamper me (either with a soak in the hot tub, an extended bit of meditation, reading a good book, a meal prepared just for me--eaten with complete presence and gratitude, or a walk in nature) all those pressing jobs in my life are still being accomplished. I am seriously astonished. How is my work getting done without me spending every waking moment attempting to complete each task?

In re-reading Off the C.U.F.F., one of many very valuable resources for parents (I think I may have devoted an entire blog to this missive at one time) I ran across their "My Daily Self-Care Guide" (pg 170).  This is a simple but helpful tool.  A repeated theme throughout this manual is that we cannot parent others well if we fail to self-parent well.  Their self-care guide includes the following checklist (to which we get to respond to each item with "Done" or "Whoops. I forgot or avoided this"--that last phrase is pretty revealing, don't you think??):

1. Check in with yourself first thing in the morning. Make a plan for the day. 

2. PLAN time in your day to have a moment to yourself. Incidental time doesn't count. Planning is symbolically important. During this time, do somnething that you WANT to do. Read. Sit quietly. Nap. This is 'recharge your batteries' time.

3. Set aside time for meals.

4. Establish a regular bedtime routine.

5. Say No to something if you are out of balance.

6. Take a moment to look in the mirror and smile.

7. Consider something that did not go as well as you would like. Think about it. Figure out what to try differently next time.

This list will serve any person well, but especially those of us who are dealing with an eating disorder in our family. I encourage you to print the above checklist so that you, too, may experience the joy of taking care of yourself this week. Please let me know how much time it saves you!

Blessings until next time,

Doris