Did I get your attention with that title? Good. Read on.
The new year has begun, and we are still battling COVID-19. For those of us staying home and facing the long dark days of winter, I would like to suggest trying something that got me through last year.
As the lockdown began, I knew I would miss going out, seeing friends and family as well as having visitors. I decided to try and use some of this “at home” time to focus more on myself and my needs. I started with an idea that became S.M.A.R.T.
What does that stand for? I’ll explain.
S is for Slow Down
M is for Meditate
A is for Analyze
R is for Reflect
T is for Take Action
I tried this approach at the beginning of the lockdown in March. I used it for a few minutes every morning as I had my morning coffee and made it part off the process of planning my day.
I would consider what I could do to Slow Down the pace of my life and start reducing my stress levels.
Then I would Meditate – sometimes just a few minutes in silence or listening to music, sometimes listening to a guided meditation online.
Then I would Analyze what my personal needs were for becoming the real me.
I then Reflected on what step or steps I could take that day.
Then I Took Action. Taking action can be just one small step forward. It can be as simple as making some time for yourself to read or take a bubble bath, talking to a friend using technology, researching something such as a yoga class and deciding whether or not you are ready to commit.
This winter; I have added to the S.M.A.R.T. approach. The new acronym is S.M.A.R.T. W.E.E.K.
W stands for Writing – just writing down your feelings in a journal or even making a list of important goals in your life.
E is for Exercise – a walk or some stretches done at home.
E is for Eating Well – ensuring you are having healthy meals.
K is for really getting to Know Yourself.
S.M.A.R.T. W.E.E.K. practiced a short time each day can help us advance towards the goal of T.L.C.
Taking time for yourself.
Learning how to reduce your stress and live a happier life.
Cherishing your inner self and getting rid of toxic thoughts.
I’m starting this practice this week. I hope you will try it too. We have enough stress with the restrictions on our lives caused by the epidemic. Remember:
S.M.A.R.T. + W.E.E.K. = T.L.C.
Let’s continue to stay safe and use this time to focus on ourselves, what we need and how we can move forward on a personal level. Good luck!
