The only person that can put you on your priority list, is you.

A while back, I participated in the fabulous “21 Day Selfie Care Challenge” given by my beautiful friends at www.letsgetmentallyfit.com. I noticed something during that 21 days. If I am accountable to someone ELSE, for something, I will do it. No problem, not even a thought. But for myself? I let myself slip off my own priority list all the time. I don’t notice it until I’m exhausted.

Kinda makes ya think. I’m sure there are lots of folks out there that do the same. Why is that? It’s not just the people-pleasers that do it, either. It’s busy moms, dads, workaholics, etc. Gotta get things done for everyone else. Promise to give ourselves some “me time” _tomorrow_. Yet tomorrow never comes. Because it’s always TODAY. See?

How can we hold ourselves accountable for taking better care of ourselves? BEFORE we’re drained and exhausted.

I’ve thought of some ideas to help us out:

1. Schedule just 20-30 minutes every day as an appointment on your calendar.

2. If committing to yourself is tough at home, make yourself go somewhere during that “appointment”. Go to the park, take a walk, read some in a book, listen to music. Go get a massage.

3. Make it part of your morning routine. Do it first. Do you want to schedule 20 minutes to sit down with a nice cup of coffee out on the porch, indulging in a magazine? Relish the sounds of nature? Meditate? Once it’s done in the morning, you can pat yourself on the back and feel accomplished that you’ve put yourself first. Every day.

4. Are you more inclined to take care of yourself in the evening? Set aside 20 minutes after work to walk barefoot in the grass. Stop for some chai tea and relaxation at that cute corner coffee shop. Something to unwind and relax.

5. Once you get used to that, you can start planning more heavy duty “me time”. Take a half day to enjoy something you love.

Maybe if you need to be more literal, write out your To Do list for the day, and put yourself at the top, or at least somewhere above the middle of the list. This is a non-negotiable. Seeing yourself on the paper will trigger you to do something just for you. That way you can cross it off the list when you do it! We all know how gratifying it is to cross items off of To Do lists! Done! Check.

As for me, I plan on taking some “me time” today to rest and relax with my kitty. We deserve it. 🙂 I hope you grab 20 minutes for yourself today and every day. Keep a journal. Let me know how you do! I’m cheering you on, as always!

Hugs & blessings to you. <3