Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin, as self-neglecting
William Shakespeare
Our reactions and responses to the everyday stresses and strains of modern living vary hugely and depend on a complex blend of variables. It seems that at the top of the list of catalysts for many people is the speed at which our lives are going and our ability or inability to juggle so many priorities all at once.
So, let me ask you a question…
When you compile your daily to do list, where have you put yourself on it?
It is possible that you don’t even feature!
Factoring in time each and every day for yourself is essential. Time to stop, time to reflect, time to be a human being rather than a human doing.
I often think this quote by Ovid the Roman poet sums this up beautifully “Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop”.
To be truly effective, the all-important “me time” is crucial if you are going to have the strength and energy to meet the demands and pressures of life in the 21st century. Our ability to be able to cope with relentless change and volatility certainty relies on our ability to be resilient, and physical and emotional wellbeing is of paramount importance.
You are most certainly worth it!
It seems that feelings of guilt and selfishness seems to create personal barriers. Sometimes people fall into the trap of rushing around trying to be everything to everyone, and propel themselves into meeting all sorts of unrealistic demands. This of course can be a false economy of time spent, because if we do that to the detriment of our personal wellbeing all those people we have supported will then need to look after us. It is worth reminding yourself of the instruction on an aircraft when the flight attendants go through the safety instructions:
Put the life mask on yourself before you help others!
Isn’t that just a great analogy for life?
Making your own personal wellbeing your biggest priority has nothing to do with being selfish. No one needs to feel guilty or ashamed about this. It is in fact the most responsible approach to life. You actually have a duty to look after yourself and invest in self-care. This also isn’t about saying no to people when they ask you to do something. It’s maybe more about saying yes however, on your terms and taking some time to consider what you can realistically, as a healthy human being, deliver.
Your approach to emotional and physical wellbeing really doesn’t need to be a complex or time-consuming pursuit. It’s more about creating moments of sanctuary in your day to reflect, relax and replenish.
Life Balance
Finding a balance in life, in my opinion, is the ultimate life skill and the one that is the most challenging to master.
Many people spend more time at work than they do at home and more time with work colleagues than with friends and family, so work is a huge part of their lives. It is now more important than ever that people learn to manage their lives so that they create a better balance and reduce unnecessary harmful stress overload, which, in turn, will promote better long-term health and well being.
I think the idea of life balance is further complicated by the fact that today’s workforce is more diverse than it has ever been and also made up of different generations, each with its own set of priorities. Additionally, businesses are in various stages of their own life cycles. Instead of looking for a generic, standardised concept of life, we need to understand that it is our own responsibility to make sure that we implement appropriate and relevant personal strategies. These guiding principles can then help us to get a better perspective on how we can better balance our time and energy.
So here is my number one tip for self care.
When you compile your daily to do list make sure that you add yourself and factor in time to replenish and revitalise!
More information
I am really looking forward to delivering a presentation at World of Learning at 1.30pm on Tuesday 16th October on Burnout – How to avoid it!
Please do email me [email protected] if you would like more details and complimentary wellbeing materials