“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Nowadays many people are having to not only multi-task, they have had to become multifaceted. Many people have learned or are learning to work from home, finding a way to work since they can’t work from home, figuring out how to teach or help teach their children from home, etc. I’ve heard people say, “I am Zoomed out.” What people are really saying is “I don’t have time for myself” or “I’ll take some time when this is all over.” But now is the time for you to take time to innergize.
Innergize Day is scheduled for the day after autumn begins every year because that is when the earth goes to rest. It is a day set aside for you. It is a time when you devote some attention to your own personal endeavors – a “do anything you want to do for yourself” day! Now, I know you probably can’t take an entire day but I encourage you to at least take some time for you.
My goal has been to get people to start with one day per year, progress to one day per month, then one day per week, and eventually an hour per day. It is a time of “self-celebration” to be incorporated into one’s daily lifestyle. Right now, I’m asking you to take at least 15 minutes. I know even that may seem like a lot…or impossible…but below are six suggestions on how you can innergize.
Step One: Give yourself permission.
Give yourself permission to put yourself first and not feel guilty. When you take care of yourself, you are better able to take care of others. When you rest, relax, renew and rejuvenate, you have the energy and clarity to do what you want to do. Take that 15-minute break.
Step Two: Schedule some mindless time/rejuvenating time.
For example, I sit outside in the morning and have my cup of coffee and journal and/or I eat lunch outside on my patio. I enjoy the beauty of nature when I’m walking my dog. I have started herbs from my neighbor’s plant and now find myself growing various herbs. Read a “light” book. Color. Watch animal videos. (I’m hooked on this Dachshund named Moonpie and another dog named Piglet-the blind and deaf dog. I look forward to those videos daily.) Disconnect from technology, even if it’s no more than 30 minutes.
Step Three: Use your creativity.
Shop your pantry and create new meals. Try new recipes. Turn your hobbies into a business or a way to make some money. It’s a good time to purge items in your house or rearrange things and make a room look like new.
Step Four: Help others.
Check on older neighbors and relatives. Check on single parents. Check on your friends who you feel are strong and “they’ll be fine.” Strong people need to be checked on, too. My neighbor has a cast on her arm. I’ve boiled, peeled and halved eggs for her, taken out her trash and put her trash can out on trash day. My neighbor loved my watering can. When I was out one day, I found a watering can like mine in the color she likes and it was on clearance. She was so happy and excited. Make yourself a Bitmoji and send a greeting to someone and brighten their day. You’d be surprised how this brings a smile to someone and it takes less than 30 seconds.
Step Five: Entrepreneurs – You are your business.
Investing in taking care of your mind, body and spirit is investing in the foundation of your business. It is crucial to make health and happiness a priority while developing your business. If you work 24/7 you will burn out. You need to schedule time for you in the same way you do for your clients. You can’t give 110% because you won’t have it to give. Don’t check email first thing in the morning. Ease in to your day. Try to space out your Zoom meetings and calls. Have a cut-off time to end your work time.
Step Six: Be grateful.
Celebrate yourself. Celebrate life. Every night before I go to bed I journal. Part of my journaling is writing at least 3 things I am grateful for. Example: being safe; not having hip pain; hearing from daughter(s)/granddaughter(s); for my dog. We get so bogged down in what is not working that we miss the blessings of answered prayers or little things.
Innergize! Take this day to relax and rejuvenate yourself. Focus on your personal well-being. Do things you enjoy that make you feel good about yourself. Let stress and worry fade away for the day.
