Self Care: Taking Ownership of Ourselves
As mothers and caregivers, we can come up with tons of excuses explaining why we don’t eat right, move more, and neglect our own self care. These excuses can be as simple as “not enough time” or “the money is tight” or even “I’m too tired”. The bottom line is: we are in control of our own self care. Whether that control yields great self care, or lack of self care, we still need to “own” the care of ourselves.
By owning the care for ourselves, I am talking about coming to the realization that we alone are responsible for each small decision that adds up to the overall outcome. As long as we do not take ownership for our decisions, it is easy to make excuses for why we do or do not make positive decisions.
Take Small Steps
So moving forward, let’s not try to change everything at one time. Take small steps. Taking small steps in a positive direction has the potential to snowball, and not only yield a great outcome, but can become a habit and lead to permanent change. Right now, think of one area in which you need to make changes. Take ownership of one area you have been neglecting.
I am going to give an example in the area of drinking more water daily. A healthy suggestion is to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. For example, you think you drink enough fluids, but in reality when you own the reality, you are honest with yourself and you really only drink the equivalent of one eight-ounce glass of water daily. Don’t count coffee and cola’s because the caffeine actually dehydrates.
Commit to Change
As you start your small step plan, commit to consciously drinking one eight-ounce glass of water daily for a week. Journal your accomplishment of the water consumed. Also consider dropping one serving of coffee or cola per day. Week two, commit to drinking two eight-ounce glasses of water per day, and dropping off one more serving of coffee or other caffeine beverage. Be sure to journal your success. Week three, add the third serving of water per day. By now, you may be off your coffee and colas.
Take Ownership
Continue this journey until you are drinking half your weight in ounces of water daily. You have accomplished a great thing making these small changes. You have taken ownership of your reality and you have taken small steps that bypass your resistance. Many times we take on changes that are too large and we encounter resistance. When we encounter resistance it is easy to go back to old habits.
Taking ownership allows you to be honest with yourself and then begin to correct the situation by taking small steps for permanent change. You can apply this to any area of your life. Take time today and consider what area in which you want to begin seeing a change. Own it! Change it!
What is the one area in your life that you are going to take ownership of today? What ways do you plan on changing it?
Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN has been a registered nurse for over 20 years, and is a Health & Wellness Coach as well as a Nurse Educator. She is a mother to three and “nana” to three. Joyce has a desire to see women empowered to be their best self. In addition to being a Health & Wellness Coach, she is also a vision board counselor and a low glycemic lifestyle educator. Joyce is currently a co-author for the book Heart for Success that is due to be published by the end of 2011. Joyce has a website where she can be found at http://www.poweruphealthcoaching.com and you can email her at [email protected].
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