Smiley Saturday: Time To Take Care of Ourselves
I want to dedicate this week’s Smiley Saturday post to the idea that we need to care for ourselves more.
As someone who is still recovering from a Nervous Breakdown (it’s now over 2 years since this occurred), I KNOW I need to find ways to care for myself.
Carole from The Healthy Living Lounge has issued a challenge to her readers to put themselves first for a month. She has some great suggestions for how you can do that.
I have decided to take her up on her challenge and really focus on caring for myself and putting myself first this month.
A couple of ways in which I intend to do this are:
- Cutting back my time spent on the computer (don’t worry, I’ll still be blogging but could spend less hours a day on here and still do that).
- Focusing on slow and controlled breathing. And in general just being more self-aware.
- Spending more time outdoors (a challenge in winter but one I’m prepared to tackle).
There are plenty more ideas I’d like to do but better to keep it simple I think.
What about you? Anyone else prepared to put their hand up for this challenge? I’d love to hear from you at least one thing you’re prepared to focus on this month that puts YOU first.
Make sure you read Carole’s article for the whole story and you might like to consider following her on Twitter. She puts out some very inspirational tweets that remind you to do small things to rejuvenate yourself.
It’s important to remember that if we’re run down, we’re of less use to those around us. What better way to bring a smile to our faces than to look after ourselves?
For those who are participating in Smiley Saturday this week, feel free to post your link below (it doesn’t have to be on looking after yourself - your Smiley Saturday topic is entirely up to you). If you’re new to Smiley Saturday, please read my Smiley Saturday page BEFORE submitting your link.
Happy Smiley Saturday everyone and hope you have a wonderful weekend. 
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OOOO I am in
I am leaving work because Im not coping with everything that goes with it, so one major stress thing leaving in 10 working days!
And rejoining the gym because that helps me with everything too
Good post today hun
This is timely advice Lightening, and something that I am going to work on. It’s strange that something that makes us feel so good, is hard for us to do.
Oops, pressed the button twice and got two links - sorry Lightening
Joyce - sorry to hear that work has been so stressful but pleased to hear you’ve made a decision about it that’s right for you. :0
Journeyer - I couldn’t get either of your links in Mr Linky to take me to your post so I’ve deleted them both and re-added your link for you.
I think caring for ourselves is something we could ALL do with working on.
This is a lesson that needed me to burn out TWICE, and end up in hospital Dec 2007 with a suspected heart attack, before I learned it.
If I may be so bold too Lightening, I think you are a Christian, and as a Christian, I think we are somehow indoctrinated with give give serve serve, which is great, but we feel guilty if we are ’selfish’. I have seen all too many burnouts from this type of thing. The flip side of a loving, serving heart I guess.
For me, I make sure I get my respite care, I have learned to say NO sometimes and NOT feel guilty for it.
Self awareness has been a BIG key. I don’t care what others are doing, they don’t walk in my shoes. I know my limits and stick to them.
I recognise the symptoms of a low, and tell my husband my needs. I use words like “For me to function I need …… to happen.” Hubbie will not always understand WHY, but he has come to a place where he doesn’t have to. That is a help. I don’t have to justify or fight for my needs anymore.
Gosh, I feel like I am writing a novel !!!!
Lightening, this is a cool idea. We need to do more taking care of ourselves physically and emotionally and mentally and all the other ways!
A friend of mine, synecdochic, makes a post every Monday for being proud of onesself. If you look at the Pride Thread Posts and scroll down to about the 6th post you can read about what it is and why she posts it. I’ll quote just a little bit of the explanation here:
I think this is an awsome thing! Part of taking care of ourselves is realising that we manage AWESOME stuff. And if your awesome is “I got out of bed for 2 mins today!” or “All the kids were sent to school on time and WITH their lunches!” or “I turned up for netball!” or something bigger they are ALL awesome if they’re awesome for us.
Warmest Regards,
Ricky
PS
For those who may find it offensive, if you read further in that journal I linked you’ll find some adult-rated fiction that this person writes. If this bothers you, just read where I linked and not any deeper into the journal.
Great idea Lightening and a timely reminder.
I’ve done my Smiley Saturday post about taking care of myself as well.
[…] week Lightening has suggested using as our Smiley Saturday theme the idea that we need to care for ourselves more. Taking care of myself seems like a good reason to […]
Oh so great you are putting your hand up for Carole’s challenge (I love her blog). It is bad timing for me because right now I have some things going on that mean I need to put my kids first and throw a huge amount of effort behind them for the next few months…. but I do plan on setting some goals for myself as well, because I can’t be there for my kids if I fall apart now can I?
Can’t wait to hear how you do during the month - you inspire me in so many ways!
Glad to hear you are making a conscious effort to look after yourself.
Hoping and praying that the roller coaster levels out soon, or has less extreme troughs.
Look forward to catching up.
Heck, I put myself first all the time. It’s the only way to cope with my hubby who has numerous mental health problems. The trick is to do it so that he thinks I’m putting him first. We muddle along and we both are happy most of the time so I guess I’m handling things the right way. I’m not a stressful type anyway and I think my calm approach to things helps him stay on a more even keel.
I’m curious about Marita’s comment. Did she coincidentally post on the same idea or is the Smiley Saturday given a theme and you all blog different perspectives of the same subject? Much like essay assignments in school?
Widdle Shamrock - It’s hard when we have to learn the hard way isn’t it? I’m glad you’ve made good progress in this area. You can write a novel in my comments anytime.
I appreciate you taking the time to share.
Ricky - lovely to hear from you again. You’ve been in my thoughts. I will take a peak at that site when I get a minute.
Marita - wonderful. I’ve read it in my reader but hope to get around the commenting track in the next couple of days.
Kate - sounds like you really DO need to consider yourself right now (as well as the kids) to keep things in balance.
Sharon - taking one step at a time. The rollercoaster really hasn’t been much fun but I do feel there is light at the end of the tunnel.
River - I’m glad to hear that. A mentally ill partner can be such a drain and it’s SO important to care for yourself. I think Marita posted as a response to what I was saying which is great but not necessary for Smiley Saturday. Sometimes it works out that way (that we bounce off one another) and sometimes we’re worlds apart. I don’t mind what people choose to write about.
I dealt with this problem some time ago. Yet, I’ve always been a real mellow person. Whenever I begin to freak-out a little I repeat my mantra out loud to myself:
“Just go with the flow.”
It helps and sometimes I also whisper to myself:
“Be as happy as a Hippie.” Not sure why THAT one works but it makes me calm down, smile, and let go of things.
Ah … this is a wonderful theme and although I created my Smiley Saturday last night (then scheduled it with Blogger to post automatically this morning because I’m running off to my Special Photoshop Class in a little while), I’m going to see what I can do to ‘amend’ it quickly before I leave the house. I won’t be back until later this afternoon … and that’s when I’ll be visiting others. I wish for you all a delightful, peace-filled day … every day ;–)
Hugs and blessings,
Count me in too I have already started trying to take more care of me.
Very timely as Jeanie said.A lot of us are feeling low.
First time poster long time reader. I hope I have set up the Mr Linky correctly. I followed picklemum Kate’s blog over here
RE Taylor - What a great way to view things. Love the “happy as a hippie” line.
Thanks for joining us this week.
Storyteller - Given the response to this week’s topic, I’m thinking it will be a focus I’ll continue on writing about for the rest of June. Feel free to do likewise if you would like to. Appreciate your support of Smiley Saturday.
Trish - I hope it really helps, for all our sakes.
Loz - thanks for joining in and your comment. Great to have you on board.
Hi… I just came upon your blog… through Rhonda Jean at Down to Earth, I think! I have blogrolled you and hope to visit you often! Christina Four Oaks, North Carolina
Welcome Christina. It’s so wonderful to have you here and joining in.
I certainly enjoyed visiting everyone’s Smiley Saturday post this morning … catching up on Monday after a BUSY weekend (though I didn’t find one at Christina’s … so maybe something’s wrong with the link?) Stopping to reflect at least once a week … think about and share what makes us smile … is certainly worthwhile. Thanks everyone!
Hugs and blessings,
Thanks Storyteller. I’m glad you’re enjoying other people’s Smiley Saturday posts.
Thanks for letting me know about that link. I’ll delete it (I couldn’t find a Smiley Saturday post either). Sometimes when people are new to this blog they misunderstand the Mr Linky.
[…] Regularly participating in Lightening’s Smiley Saturday’s […]