Mindful Monday: Doing It All

Why is it we try to do it all to the point of exhaustion? Why do we feel the need to be everything to everyone all of the time? Why do we fall into the trap of "shoulds"? 

Here's the deal...

-We can't do it all. 

-We can't be everything to everyone. 

-And living in the land of "shoulds" will in fact make us crazy.

But here's the craziest part of all. I know there are only 24 hours in a day. I know to be at my best that I must put myself first. And I logically know I can't do it all. I know all these things to be true. And yet, somehow my logical side completely escapes me, and I feel like I am the exception to the rule. For some ridiculous reason, I continue to take on more. I feel like if I'm not doing it all, then I'm not doing enough. Why is it that I continually find myself in this paradox, I know I can't do it all, yet for some reason I feel like I should? 

I'd fathom that I'm not the only one stuck in this paradox. So I come to you today, begging you to hear me when I say, your best is enough!  Now, say it with me, "My. Best. Is. Enough! I have nothing to prove. My happiness matters."

Mindful Mondays: Hitting a Wall

It's late October. We're in the thick of it. And the holiday madness is upon us.

While "hitting a wall" is generally used in the figurative sense, this time of year I can't help but feel that the wall is literal. The stress and fatigue are real. The wall is real! 

I beg of you to lean into your wall. Use it as a reminder to pause and breathe. Enjoy the crisp mornings. Take in the seasonal decorations. Shorter days are around the corner - use them as a reminder to put you and your family first. 

Don't feel defeated by your wall. Lean. Rest. Breathe. Then breathe again. 

Mindful Monday: Mondays

Mondays tend to be one of the least favorite days of the week. I mean, I get it. No one *wants* to go to work, but on the flip side that's why they pay us. No one would show up on a Monday just because they want to. 

But here's the deal, Monday's make up 1/7 of our entire life. That's a little more than 14% of our time on this round planet. That seems like an awful lot of our lives spent dreading one day.   

So I challenge you today to reframe how you think about this not so popular day. Instead of thinking that you "have to" get up and come to work today, try I "get to" change lives today. And if you can't muster up enough umph for that, perhaps we just rename Mondays to Taco Tuesday Eves. 

Either way, it's time we start Making our Mondays Matter!

Mindful Monday: Greener Grass

When things are hard, it is easy, nearly second nature, to start comparing how good you think someone else has it...how easy their life seems, how smart, how successful, how together, so on and so forth. Next thing you know, their grass seems so stinking green that it's all you can focus on. 

If you're too busy noticing what others have, you'll never see the good in your life. You won't notice the joy you bring to others. You'll miss out on the amazing things happening daily in your life. 

However, it's more than just don't fall into the comparison trap. What are you doing to take care of your grass? Afterall, the grass is greener where it's watered. I ran across that phrase recently, and it hit me so profoundly. So much so, I think it's worth repeating. The grass is greener where it's watered. 

Focus on you. Focus on what you can control. Focus on all the little things because the little things add up faster than you know. 

I challenge you to read this mantra below out loud. Consider posting it on your bathroom mirror. Commit to loving yourself and watering your own grass. 

Mindful Monday: Keeping the Spark Lit

You can't pour from an empty cup. So I ask you today, what are you doing to refill your cup? How exactly are you pouring into yourself? What are you doing to make yourself a priority?

We all find ourselves busy. Life never seems to really slow down. And let's face it, most of us wouldn't know what to do with ourselves if we weren't going all the time. The trick is to not let the busy wear you down. 

What brings you joy and when is the last time you did just that? If you're not pouring into yourself daily or at the very least weekly, then I'm fathom a guess you are inching closer and closer towards burnout. Pouring into yourself doesn't have to cost a lot or take up a lot of time. Consider listening to your favorite podcast or turning on your favorite music on your way to work. Call a good friend to check in and catch up on your way home. Treat yourself to your favorite beverage. Give yourself permission to take a longer than normal shower. Head to bed an extra 15 mins early to catch up on a good book or write in your gratitude journal. Do things that are good for your soul. 

In addition to pouring into yourself on the daily, be sure you go the extra step to do things that spark a light in you. What do you wish you'd have more time to do? Make the time! If you don't make yourself a priority, who will? 

I challenge you moving forward to continue to fan the flame that lights the spark inside of you. Continue to pour into yourself in both little ways daily and in bigger ways that feed your soul. You deserve it. You are worth it.