My career, my relationships, networking, blogging, skydiving...the list goes on.
What I find happens from time to time is that the world shows me that I need to focus on me - and it's usually not in the most pleasant way. These wake up calls typically involve sickness or some other setback that makes me realize I haven't been paying enough attention to my own well-being.
Though, this hasn't always been the case. Sure, in college, I tended to beat the hell out of myself, with drinking and staying up till all hours, but when I lived in Texas it was the complete opposite. After breaking my foot (the first time) I made sure to take vitamins, eat healthy, work out every day after work, attend 2 yoga classes a week, make time to watch my favorite TV show every Thursday, sneak out of the office once a day for a 10 minute walk in downtown Dallas to enjoy the sunshine, go for runs in the park on nice days, get regular massages, grab my camera for random photo shoots around the city...you get the idea.
I was in better shape and better health than I've ever been. But for the past few years, my hobbies and other responsibilities have taken over as priority, and I have taken a backseat.
This is NOT okay. I've been compromising my health, both mentally and physically for things that I thought mattered more.
A couple weeks ago I sat down and made appointments for the eye doctor, the dentist, the massage therapist, and even at my salon. I felt pretty good about that. But I quickly forgot about taking care of myself on a daily basis as well. Oops.
Well I'm making it a point to bring some focus back to me. After all, I can't be the best at the things that have become high priority in my life without being in good shape myself, right?
Now I certainly can't expect that I'll be able to do all those things I was once able to fit into my life in Dallas, after all, life has changed drastically since that time, my job doesn't allow for a 10 minute break most days, and I don't have cable so there will be no TV watching, but there's no reason why I can't find time to practice yoga once a week, or read a chapter in a good book every few days. And I have promised myself in the recent past that I'd get back on the horse when it comes to my photography, for which I haven't been doing a very good job.
As someone who truly believes that the most important relationship you have in this world is with YOURSELF you think I wouldn't need random, and sometimes scary, wake up calls to get me back on track. But then again, no one is perfect.
It's all in an effort to become a better person - for my relationships, for my hobbies, for my career, and most importantly, for myself.
I encourage you to do the same. Challenge yourself to take time every day to focus on yourself. You might be surprised just how much it helps your mental and physical state. I'm certainly looking forward to the rewards.
Cheers!
-A
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