Last week I went to a yoga class at Evolation Yoga studio and as I entered the change room there was a sign that said,
“Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.”
This really caught my attention. I love it. Asking people to be accountable for their energy. It caused me to stop and do a check-in of where I was at with my own energy. I was in my happy place knowing in a few short minutes I was going to be on my mat doing my favourite yoga class with Helena.
The truth is, most people are very unaware of how they are feeling, not to mention how their mood impacts those around them. Or maybe they are aware but feel completely powerless over the stress and negativity within them, and find themselves constantly reacting.
We are living in a world with a lot of stress and negativity. People are living their lives based on fear rather than love. And even if this is not our own reality, it impacts us on a regular basis. Sometimes more than we realize.
For a lot of my life I would take on other people’s energy or “stuff” and not really have a clue I was doing it. But now looking back, I know I was not present in my body and my emotions were running high and low.
We can’t change other people. We can choose to take care of ourselves.
This is why I choose to focus on self-care.
Self-care is self-love.
Self-love is self-less, not self-ish.
If I don’t make me a priority I end up feeling tired or run down, less present, more reactive, less effective at my work, and I don’t enjoy life as much. I’ve been there.
Being disciplined has not come naturally to me; it continues to be a work-in-progress.
This year… I take fully responsibility for taking care of me.
Here’s how:
Daily Meditation – morning and night. Morning sets the stage for my day and evening allows me to let go and relax. Meditation is key for me. I feel present, clear, more positive and less reactive. I am in the flow. I do not take on other’s people’s stuff like I would have in the past.
When I meditate I am more grounded and present. I feel like a tree with roots firmly planted in the ground. I can withstand the stormy weather and I rejoice when it is sunny and warm.
Being present in my body and aware of how I am feeling.
If I am not connected to my body I am not connected to who I am. Throughout the day I often stop and do mindful check-ins. I ask myself the question “How am I feeling right now?”
And I ask myself another question… “What do I need?” This is a very nurturing question. It is me taking care of me. It feels so good.
Moving my body. This year I starting working out at BPM Fitness. It has been a game-changer. In a short period of time I feel more grounded, stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. The owners Colin Jackson and Chelsea Stewart take a very spiritual approach to fitness and well-being. If you live in London check it out!
Boundaries. Self-love is having good boundaries. We teach people how to treat us –and it starts with how we treat ourselves. The better our boundaries, the more compassion and love we feel for others. When we take care of ourselves we feel better on all levels, we have greater self-respect and have more to give because we want to not because we should.
I have shared what works for me.
What works for you?
Self-care is an ongoing journey and from my experience the pay-offs are huge.
Take care of yourself,
Diane