I'm writing because I'm trying to keep my promise (see the last posting). There's no time like right now to write (and dream, and plan a wedding, and organize, and tend to office work, and try to take "me" time)....
Yes, if you read carefully above, I am in the midst of planning a wedding! I got engaged Sunday, March 1, the day Atlanta was graced with flurries! And, while that's my personal life, my personal business, and it doesn't affect my daily work with clients, it does affect my outlook on managing my daily life - my happiness, my peace, my priorities, my relationships. You should see my dining table piled and scattered with etiquette books, a wedding planner, a new bride journal, a "Brides Guide to Emotional Survival" (how appropro) ~ all handed down to me from my sister who planned her wedding ten years ago.
I'm quick to admit I'm struggling:
*to know where to begin among my planning to-do list,
*to continue breathing when I hear another "$15,000 minimum" quote for a reception venue (holy cow, that's when e-l-o-p-e sounds attractive!),
*to make the decision about an intimate v. large celebration,
*to stay grounded and remember it's our union, not so much a Perfect wedding day.
*breathe!!
And, while that's weighing on me, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to share this planning experience with my fiance, my mother, and our families. I've always made a promise to myself not to let planning a wedding rule my life for a year, and I'm sticking to it. That's why I'm using this opportunity to write on my blog about how I will take care of myself through the planning and all the change that comes along with it.
Ways to "Take Care of Me":
*Naps without the guilt.
*Remember patience with others.
*Deep breathing.
*Saying no when I feel squeezed or stuffed.
*Sitting through the yuck feelings...no fun, very hard but ultimately rewarding.
*Regular movement therapy for myself (seeing movement therapist, teaching and taking yoga, taking a great step class, walks/hikes in the spring sunshine)
*Letting go. I can't do it all, I can't be it all.
*Quiet time and laughter with my fiance.
*and quiet time with my furry kitty.
*Long showers.
*Comfortable clothes.
*Eating slowly and mindfully.
*Slowing down.
*Taking time to allow my surroundings to be manageable, comfortable & organized.
*Say "oh well" when the to-do list still lingers....
*Deep breathing (yes, I'm mentioning this one again!)
*Letting other people's stuff be other people's stuff. :)
*Writing in my journal.
*Listening to feel-good music.
*Feeling the feelings (they happen, all right!) but also choosing a positive/healthy perspective.
*Knowing that if I don't update my blog quite as often as I'd like, it's okay, and I hope you are taking care of yourself too!
Now that I've written my list, think about how you can take care of yourself.
*How can you truly aim to be gentle with yourself?
*What might you have to let go?
*What might you invite into your life?
You know, I feel so much better after writing. While I have a lighter afternoon and evening than the rest of my week, before I wrote my mind was crammed with "shoulds" and the neverending to-do list. But, what good is racing through life, making it all Perfect, when you haven't taken the time to treat yourself gracefully? I'm doing the best I can and hope you can too.
As I move on to turn up my iPod and enjoy the rest of my afternoon and the rest of this week, I hope you'll let me know if you have fitness/movement/body/appetite related questions. I'm happy to write you back!
Take care.
