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Falling Off the Wagon and Other Thoughts for the New Year
By Ria | January 14, 2008
It’s the middle of January and I’m just now getting around to refocusing my life for 2008. Unfortunately, in the midst of working the business (I did a LOT of holiday shows in December!), catching a cold bug, the holidays, and house guests, it was easy to “fall off the wagon.” I had way too much fun eating turkey with gravy, macaroni & cheese, candied yams and of course my personal challenge — chocolate desserts! Actually, it was hot fudge sundaes to be precise. And what’s more is that I was okay with where I was in that moment until I became a little anxious about it. I was anxious because I knew that how I was managing my life was not healthy for me. I wasn’t finding time each day for me and I wasn’t eating foods that would make my body feel good. As good as the food tasted in the moment, it never failed to make me feel bad afterward. The only problem was — I couldn’t help myself — so the cycle continued for a whole month. What was worse is that I also wasn’t exercising either so now, I was adding insult to injury. Not only does my body feel very out of balanced right now, it also hurts because my joints have stiffened up from all the inactivity. Great way to start the New Year, huh?
I wish I could say it is the first time I have fallen off the wagon but the truth is, it happens from time to time. I get distracted with something and the next thing I know, I have lowered “taking care of ME” on my list of priorities. The reality is — life can get in the way but the difference now is that instead of blaming myself and allowing myself to feel badly about it, I forgive myself, realize that I had fun along the way, and create a new plan for moving forward. It’s that simple. I forgave myself and now I’m acting on that new plan to take care of me. I can’t say it’s a New Year’s resolution because I believe that it’s never too late to take action toward being a better person. That’s something that you can strive for every day. For me it just means taking the time to feel how I really feel about myself and taking at least some small action to rebalance myself when I’m not feeling centered.
My plan is to:
* detox my system (see my favorite detox brand at http://www.ilovemecollection.com/favorite.html);
* get plenty of rest;
* work smarter and not harder;
* balance time with work, family and friends;
* make healthier food choices that alkalize or balance my body;
* exercise; and most of all,
* be okay with myself if for some reason I don’t strike this balance for a day or even a week.
I’m learning that falling off the wagon is okay as long as you pick yourself up and get back on. Happy New Year!
Topics: journeys to self-love | 1 Comment »
January 14th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I can really relate to this! The holidays are always difficult for me – physically and emotionally. I throw caution to the wind and bake and bake and bake, for family, friends, and my husband’s staff. In the process of baking, I do alot of tasting! Okay, maybe more eating than tasting. The point is I sabotage whatever progress I made before November 1st. I am going to follow Ria’s advice and NOT make another New Year’s resolution, but make taking care of myself a priority all year long. And if I fall off the wagon, I am going to climb right back up and keep moving. This time if I fall, I am falling forward!