Why shouldn’t you follow your dreams? Let me guess. Is it because of bills? Other mouths to feed? Other demands offering your time? For what it’s worth, I totally get it. However, have you considered that you matter too?
Why are people so nice to others, their spouses, kids, jobs, and other demands, but they’re not kind to themselves? Don’t you deserve kindness too? I think so. That’s why I am writing this. Too often I watch people neglect themselves and when I ask why, they are too busy or feel too guilty spending an afternoon on themselves or doting on themselves. Again, I ask why? You are a person. You work hard. You deserve to smile and be happy like anyone else. But the cost of another’s happiness should never be your own.
Yes, bills, children, spouses, and jobs are all important aspects in life. But the most important aspect of your life is YOU. How can you maintain the demands effectively if you can’t maintain yourself? That is why I challenge you to hit the pause button. Find a babysitter, take a personal day, and tell your spouse you need a little me time. Do what you need to take a much-needed breath. There is no shame in it. In fact, by doing so, you are increasing your happiness, lowering your stress, and making yourself more effective and able to answer your demands. Did you ever think of that?
You love your family, and that’s awesome. It’s a beautiful thing. But neglecting yourself is neglecting them indirectly. Do you want to give the tired, stressed, overworked version of yourself? I doubt it. You do your best, but you’re human and need rest and joy too.
You matter. You! It’s so easy to get lost when you are pulled in a million directions. I get it. I have been known to get so deep and lost in work that I forget to live and do something fun, too. But this work culture of putting our health and happiness aside needs to come to an end.
Learning to balance the pressures of life can be hard, but very worth it in the long run. I challenge each of you to take a pause today or sometime this week. Do something that makes you smile. A walk, perhaps? A nice, long bubble bath? Going out for drinks with a friend? A movie? A dinner? A nap? Anything that makes you feel calm and relaxed can help boost your health. Just remember, you matter too. So, be kind to yourself and treat yourself well.
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