3 Simple Tips for Creating More Ease in a Fast-Paced World

Self-care can be defined as focusing on those things that nurture your mind, body, and spirit making it tri-dimensional – including your physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Yes indeed, it is all about your being-ness. Notice that the questions asked relate to YOU – not your mate or significant other, not your children, not your parents, not your friends! Simply stated, self-care is about being those things that bring you joy, peace, fulfillment, and a sense of balance. In the short term, you are the primary beneficiary. As a result, you refill your “energy cup” and, in the not so distant future, loved ones benefit as well because you have more energy to share with them.

Right now, you may be thinking, “Even though my life is extremely busy, I do realize that I need more ‘me’ time because I often feel tired and energy-less. But, I just don’t know how to fit it all in!” Well, don’t give up. Self-care is a choice and there are solutions to creating a more self-caring lifestyle.

ONE - To begin the process, the very first thing to do is to decide that you are worth it and you deserve joy, peace, fulfillment, and a sense of balance. As a woman married with three children (ages ranging between 2-9 years), a household to manage, and two businesses to run, I understand how life can just “happen” to us if we aren’t paying attention. I’ve also come to learn that if I’m exhausted and running on “e” (empty energy), I have less to share with everyone else and I’m frustrated, irritated and everything else in between the two! Thus, I decided that I must choose that which I desire and dream of. Self-care is a choice.

TWO - Next, the process involves asking yourself, “Who am I being?” rather than “What am I doing?” This simple question will increase your focus on self-care. When you are doing life, you are going through the motions, checking off the “to-do” items, setting goals, and many times not achieving desired results. When the focus is on doing life, resistance (or frustration) usually accompanies it. You can’t quite figure out why things aren’t going your way or working out like you planned them. On the other hand, when you are being that which you choose to be, life appears relaxed, calm, focused, manageable, full of energy and joyful! You see challenges as lessons rather than obstacles. You feel an alignment between your thoughts, behaviors, and results. You’re not as focused on being right much of the time. Your focus is primarily on fulfillment, purpose, and what serves you.

As you continue to notice who you are being, you begin to consciously choose things that serve your body, mind, and spirit. Some of you may notice that your beliefs are not matching up with your actions or behaviors. For example, you may share with others that you believe exercise is a major component of a self-caring lifestyle. When checking your behavior, however, you realize that you haven’t exercised consistently for the past 6 months! In this example, who you are being is not serving your body temple.

THREE - Now that you have decided that you are worth it, asked yourself “who am I being” and begun to consciously choose, it is time to live out that which fulfills you, brings you peace, nourishes your body, and eases your mind! So begin choosing…the sky is not the limit! Will it be dancing every Friday night, attending your favorite aerobics class 3 times each week, cuddling up in bed with your favorite book while sipping on a cup of your favorite herbal tea, meditating each morning upon arising, listening to inspirational CDs, or just taking time out to be still and away from the noise? Whatever you decide, remember that self-care is a choice – it’s your choice.