Right this minute, I’m lying on the chaise lounge in the backyard. The fact that I’m lying down and not moving is a good step forward. Today, I planned my dinner menus and went grocery shopping, biked 42 miles, went to a photo shoot, walked the dog, made homemade soup for dinner, created a new program idea and did paperwork. It’s hard to believe it’s Sunday.
Have you ever had that feeling in the back of your throat when you know you’re getting sick? You have that tickle in the back of your throat, need to cough and every bone in your body aches? That’s how I feel right now, and I could just kick myself. I have a crazy busy week culminating with my largest presentation yet and I’m getting sick. How could this have happened?
Well, it’s not really that hard to figure out— if I’m honest with myself! Let’s see, the last week started with a full day of activities and an evening appointment. I didn’t get home until 9:00 pm. Tuesday was even busier for me. I drove to Dayton and got caught in the rain while walking all over downtown. I had an appointment, then a networking event, then drove home to walk the dog before leaving for another networking event. Again, I didn’t get home till 9:00 pm and, as usual, didn’t have dinner. Wednesday and Thursday I attended events and didn’t eat dinner. Friday, I got up early and ran from appointment to appointment.
Frankly, it was not smart of me to continue to push full steam ahead when my fuel gauge was obviously running on fumes. I should know better than to not take good care of myself! But like many women, I pride myself on accomplishments and being able to “do it all.” In lieu of my recent realizations, here are a couple reminders.
You can’t do everything and be everywhere— prioritize!
You don’t have to attend every single event— it’s virtually impossible. Evaluate your commitments and prioritize their importance. How does it affect your career and how does it affect your personal obligations? Can you compromise? One of the biggest issues women deal with is their insistence on seeing these commitments in black or white options. The truth is that there’s a vast range of choices open to you.
Be attuned to your bodies needs and respond accordingly.
You need to be attentive to your bodies needs; when you’re hungry, be sure to take the time to eat. That doesn’t mean you sneak some food standing at the refrigerator. It means you take the time to sit down and slowly eat a good, relaxing meal. When your body is telling you that it’s exhausted and can’t push anymore, listen. Stop working and take some time out. There is a point you hit where you’re truly not effective anymore.
Take some “me-time” every single day.
Even when you’re busy, find a way to take at least 20-30 minutes of “me-time” It doesn’t involve work and it doesn’t involve commitments of any kind. It’s just something pleasurable. Everyone needs this to recharge daily.
I try to practice what I preach. However, I am acknowledging that in the last couple weeks, I really got off track. All of us do now and then. The important thing is to recognize this and make a firm commitment to YOU to get back in a healthy routine. I will if you will.
