I remember when I turned in the first draft of my new book, The Art of Active Listening. Most would think I am out of my mind to not only be writing another book but to take a long vacation just days before the first draft was due…but that’s exactly what I did! I needed a bit of a reset to get my mind in a place where I was ready to move on to this next ‘chapter’ and boy, I am so excited to see where this goes! This process was different from the first two though, and I am nowhere near done yet...
I remember writing my first book as someone who was laid off from my job and decided at that time to self-publish, which gave me about 4 or 5 months to write it. Book number two I wrote in the midst of the pandemic and alongside many others, I was frantic about not having steady work since no one wanted to see each other in person. So on top of that, I had committed to writing this book. Was I going to make an excuse, or could I find it within myself to go forward and meet that deadline? I wrote book two 90% on my own, but this go-around with book three, there are so many more helping hands, and it didn’t take me months.
Self Care First, Work Next…
Between moving a kiddo around from college to home and traveling to speak, my life hasn’t left me much opportunity to focus solely on writing. Juggling is an act that we all do daily, which leaves us forgetful in the simple task of taking care of ourselves as we check off our to-do lists. It can be challenging to slow down the go, go, go lifestyle and lean into self-care, making yourself a priority. Here are a few tips to help do just that.
Take Walks
If a vacation is not in your future, fear not. There are plenty of daily activities you can do that are stress relievers, and one of them is pretty simple - just take a walk! Physical activity is one of the best ways to manage stress and boost your mood while giving you just a little time to yourself. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week – or about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. And the minutes don't have to be consecutive to bring benefits!
Meditation or Have Quiet Time
Something I wanted to do more of in 2022 was to take more time to self-reflect. Giving yourself time to sit in silence to think or meditate is psychologically proven to help prevent burnout. Hundreds of millions of people meditate worldwide to promote general wellness, which also contributes to relieving stress and anxiety. Since meditation is a kind of relaxation technique, grounding yourself will play a huge part in all areas of your life, even aiding those with insomnia. More sleep = more productivity.
Take a Vacation
If you have the opportunity to take a vacation on your own or with your family, I highly recommend it! On my vacation, I rested hard and spent so much relaxing time with my family. Getting out of your everyday vibes and into the wide world of travel can make life a lot more fun. You can learn new things, see new places, and just experience life at a different level. Laugh a lot and live in the moment!
Conclusion
Thank you to all of you who continue to support me and the work I do alongside my firm. It’s the drive that I need to keep writing and sharing with the world. If you have found yourself stuck in a rut or lacking motivation, I highly suggest practicing the self-care tips from above and leaning into yourself more often. I can say that now I’m refreshed, uplifted, and it’s time to get to it!
