Getting older doesn’t mean life gets easier. It just means you handle the hard parts differently.
-Catherine O-Hara
We’ve definitely had to move and shift our schedules around a lot recently. Mostly due to the huge ice storm that left Texas unexpectedly iced in for days on end, and led to many days of school and appointment cancellations.
I have to say, I did pretty well with all of this at first. But, once we got to day four of everyone home from work and school, and me keeping my regular work-from-home hours, I was so over all of it! I was feeling suffocated by the grumpiness, the neediness, the lack of foods at home that I wanted, too much time indoors, etc. I just wanted my normal, everyday life back. Funny enough, I did get the normalcy I was craving the very next day!
But, sometimes during the chaos of it all, we also need to make time and space to feel all our feelings, even the uncomfortable and harder feelings, in the here and now. Which I did, through processing with my husband and doing a “mind dump” journaling session. Both were super helpful for me to get through that last day of our weather-related lock in.
Here’s what’s to come in this blog: things to let go to in your life starting today, things to do more of in your life starting today, and wrapping up with self-care for when you’re feeling lost in life. Enjoy!
Things to let go of in your life starting today:
- Perfectionism
- People pleasing
- External validation from others
- Beating yourself up when you make a mistake
- Not setting and maintaining clear boundaries with others
- Struggles with self-love
- Judgment and criticism towards yourself and others
- Not prioritizing self-care in your everyday life
- Low self-esteem and self-worth
- Not living your true, authentic life
What else would you add to this list?
Thing to do more of in your life starting today:
- Give compassion to yourself and others
- Look inward (not outward) for validation
- Love yourself fully and unconditionally
- Practice setting and maintaining clear boundaries with others
- Create your authentic life
- Raise your self-esteem
- Embrace your imperfections
- Take good care of you, each and every day!
- Show yourself (and others) grace
- Prioritize self-care, ideally every single day
What else would you add here?
Self-care for when you’re feeling lost in life:
- Go to therapy
- Write about it in a journal
- Read fiction or nonfiction books
- Meditate- either a quiet mediation or a guided one
- Snuggle with your pet
- Emotionally connect with friends and family
- Exercise, ideally outside
- Get cozy under a warm blanket with a warm drink
- Practice mindfulness and focus on your five senses
- Spend time outdoors soaking in the beauty all around you
What other types of self-care help you when you’re feeling lost in life?
If you’re struggling in your own life right now, know that you’re not alone. Many of us have been struggling lately, especially during these winter months. If you could use more help and support today, please reach out to your doctor or a therapist in your area. Know that I’m thinking of you and sending lots of love and compassion your way!
