I came across an article recently that I really enjoyed. The article mentioned some quick tips about the importance of taking care of yourself and your happiness and the little things you can do for yourself. Unfortunately I can’t reference the article here because I can’t seem to remember where I read it but I’m going to take a stab at paraphrasing it to get the point across...
1. It’s not selfish, it’s self-preservation.
One tip the article gave was the importance on taking care of you, before taking caring of others. It’s wonderful to be giving but at a certain point you can give too much of yourself, and then it’s just depleting and you’re no good to anyone. Learn to say no to the next person who asks you to do them a favor if you’re already running yourself thin. Learn to ask others around you to share responsibilities. You’ll have more opportunities to pursue your own interests and nurture facets of your personality that make you happier, and then you’ll be more of a giver when you have the energy again. Taking care of your inner self is as important as taking care of your outer self. Know your limits, and be happy to be healthy.
2. Now is the moment! Enjoy it!
Oh my goodness…this part actually made me laugh when I read the article because the author said she was reflecting back on her childhood and her mother sitting in a park watching her and her siblings play. The author remembered those memories fondly and realized when it came to her own children, she was often rushing them to and fro the park. She feared that later in life, instead of fond memories, her children might remember their mother always saying “hurry up” as she rushed to get them to the park.
This hits home for me because my mom has made this same reflection when thinking of mine and my sister’s childhood. My sister and I both needed numerous trips to the orthodontist in our younger days and on the route to the ortho, there was this very fun looking, colorful park that we would pass coming and going. My mom said (although I don’t remember this) that my sister and I always wanted to stop at the park to play, but my mom was always in a hurry to get home to start dinner. This actual conversation came up at some point over the last few years and my mom reflected back and said she doesn’t understand why she was always so concerned with rushing home to start dinner and she wished she would have stopped at the park for us to play.
So the moral here is, “This is it. Now is the moment. Enjoy it! Connect. This could be another perfect moment, if you let it be.”
3. Find your space
Everyone needs some moments alone each day to recharge. Time is the one gift you can give yourself each day to be happier and it doesn’t cost a thing or require you to go anywhere.
Think of a place where you can let your mind escape and your worries go, even for just a short period of time. Your place, or as Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore says “your happy place” should make you feel peaceful and relaxed. A coffeehouse, bookstore, park, favorite room in your house, your garden etc. are all good places. Once you figure out where your space is that makes you feel relaxed, make more time for it in your life. After this mini-break, you can pretty much guarantee you’ll feel better and be more grateful when you get back to the hustle and bustle of your busy life.
4. Conflict can be OK!
When a friend/family member/coworker is mad at you or you at them, the hardest thing sometimes is to talk about it. But once you do, you always feel better. Chances are, the thing you disagree over is minor, and you have more in common than not, but you need to discuss the situation to find out where you agree and where you don’t.
Figure out how to find your common ground with one another and learn from each other, celebrate your differences and laugh about them, too. You can still be close with someone but disagree in various areas. Conflict is healthy. In fact it’s part of life.
5. Remember your friends!
Connecting, especially with friends, is important to your happiness long-term, studies show. Sometimes, time just flies and before I know it, it’s been months since I’ve seen my friends. Keeping those close friendships is important and maintaining it takes work or else the friendship dissolves. There’s nothing like some great girl bonding and catching up with some of my “besties”. A great friend is like a therapist that you never have to pay, a religion that never judges you and a cozy home with a door that is always open. A good friend is there for you when you need them and even when you don’t know you need them. They are your support system, your cheerleader and your defender and they can be all these alongside you and sometimes for you, when you can’t be for yourself.
1. It’s not selfish, it’s self-preservation.
One tip the article gave was the importance on taking care of you, before taking caring of others. It’s wonderful to be giving but at a certain point you can give too much of yourself, and then it’s just depleting and you’re no good to anyone. Learn to say no to the next person who asks you to do them a favor if you’re already running yourself thin. Learn to ask others around you to share responsibilities. You’ll have more opportunities to pursue your own interests and nurture facets of your personality that make you happier, and then you’ll be more of a giver when you have the energy again. Taking care of your inner self is as important as taking care of your outer self. Know your limits, and be happy to be healthy.
2. Now is the moment! Enjoy it!
Oh my goodness…this part actually made me laugh when I read the article because the author said she was reflecting back on her childhood and her mother sitting in a park watching her and her siblings play. The author remembered those memories fondly and realized when it came to her own children, she was often rushing them to and fro the park. She feared that later in life, instead of fond memories, her children might remember their mother always saying “hurry up” as she rushed to get them to the park.
This hits home for me because my mom has made this same reflection when thinking of mine and my sister’s childhood. My sister and I both needed numerous trips to the orthodontist in our younger days and on the route to the ortho, there was this very fun looking, colorful park that we would pass coming and going. My mom said (although I don’t remember this) that my sister and I always wanted to stop at the park to play, but my mom was always in a hurry to get home to start dinner. This actual conversation came up at some point over the last few years and my mom reflected back and said she doesn’t understand why she was always so concerned with rushing home to start dinner and she wished she would have stopped at the park for us to play.
So the moral here is, “This is it. Now is the moment. Enjoy it! Connect. This could be another perfect moment, if you let it be.”
3. Find your space
Everyone needs some moments alone each day to recharge. Time is the one gift you can give yourself each day to be happier and it doesn’t cost a thing or require you to go anywhere.
Think of a place where you can let your mind escape and your worries go, even for just a short period of time. Your place, or as Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore says “your happy place” should make you feel peaceful and relaxed. A coffeehouse, bookstore, park, favorite room in your house, your garden etc. are all good places. Once you figure out where your space is that makes you feel relaxed, make more time for it in your life. After this mini-break, you can pretty much guarantee you’ll feel better and be more grateful when you get back to the hustle and bustle of your busy life.
4. Conflict can be OK!
When a friend/family member/coworker is mad at you or you at them, the hardest thing sometimes is to talk about it. But once you do, you always feel better. Chances are, the thing you disagree over is minor, and you have more in common than not, but you need to discuss the situation to find out where you agree and where you don’t.
Figure out how to find your common ground with one another and learn from each other, celebrate your differences and laugh about them, too. You can still be close with someone but disagree in various areas. Conflict is healthy. In fact it’s part of life.
5. Remember your friends!
Connecting, especially with friends, is important to your happiness long-term, studies show. Sometimes, time just flies and before I know it, it’s been months since I’ve seen my friends. Keeping those close friendships is important and maintaining it takes work or else the friendship dissolves. There’s nothing like some great girl bonding and catching up with some of my “besties”. A great friend is like a therapist that you never have to pay, a religion that never judges you and a cozy home with a door that is always open. A good friend is there for you when you need them and even when you don’t know you need them. They are your support system, your cheerleader and your defender and they can be all these alongside you and sometimes for you, when you can’t be for yourself.
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