National Wellness Month – What does that mean for YOU? (It’s not always about exercise)

At the end of every day as I would find myself exhausted from the long laundry list of to-dos that had me moving in any number of directions – I would often wonder how I got here? How is it that the same number of tasks – if not MORE were still yet to be done after what seemed to be a very frantic and busy day? The busy-ness of life and all the things that consume our time that we think are important may not in fact be as urgent as the priority we place on them. We are often so intent on the answers that our approach may be more refined and filled with a little more space if we ask ourselves questions that will guide us to a more strategic and fulfilling outcome…and lead to a few more things ACTUALLY CROSSED OFF that long list OR may help it not even make the cut in the 1st place so you can focus your time and attention on what’s truly important to you. Here are a few questions to start with:

Focus on all the resources necessary to complete it – silence, wifi, research tools, experienced counsel, protein/nutrition, 9 hours of sleep, a morning workout, an afternoon nap for 45-min – whatever will enable you to COMPLETE this ONE thing. If you start each day tackling ONE thing…it releases anxiety and overwhelm from tackling the other 50 and provides momentum for the next item the next day…or maybe enough momentum that you hit 2 things instead of 1 – but if so – that’s simply a BONUS – there is nothing more to tackle than THAT 1 THING.

Maybe this task or meeting or phone call or activity doesn’t deserve the priority you’ve unintentionally assigned to it. Maybe it will do more harm than good for your mental or physical health. Is it worth your time or energy? Can someone else complete it for you? Evaluate the relevance and impact this ‘thing’ has on your overall well-being. Does it even make the list? You are the gatekeeper to your wellness – how does this affect your peace?

It’s wonderful to help others and it’s certainly a part of the larger reason we are here – to extend and receive love – often shown through acts of service. There is a mantra I’ve recently encountered that took me a minute to grasp, but it has provided profound relief from always being the hero and ultimately exhausted…to monitoring my energy levels and what speaks to my best self. ‘What’s best for me…is best for everyone else.’ When I’m operating at my highest and my cup is full to give freely, completely and without expectation everyone benefits. No overextension, no exhaustion, no resentment – just service. How liberating to know that allowing me to be my best self and whatever that requires is best for EVERYONE has truly been a game-changer for the expectations I used to place on myself…as well as giving myself clearer boundaries from which I operate and extend myself – and permission in knowing that NO is an acceptable response…and also a complete sentence.