Be Gentle With Yourself
By Rebecca McClain
Each day presents us with choices about how we will live our lives. There are pressures from within and without that can cause us to put undue pressure on ourselves to perform, to look a certain way, to conform to the latest trends and so forth. By trying to measure up to the many social and self-imposed standards with which we're bombarded, we can end up a physical and psychological wreck.
For the first few months after transitioning from my corporate job to full-time entrepreneur, I kept a grueling work schedule. I worked into the wee hours of the morning, including weekends. I put a lot of pressure on myself to complete projects within a certain timeframe. I didn't make time for social activities. An unexpected diversion in my schedule would create feelings of guilt. Until one day my eighty-four year old mother needed me to run some errands with her. It was one of the most relaxing days I had experienced in quite some time. The slower pace allowed me to savor every moment and renew a sense of renewal and balance that I've incorporated into my life. I realize now that subconsciously I felt that I needed to prove to myself (and perhaps others) that I would succeed.
If there is an area in your life where you're putting pressure on yourself to do or to be, I challenge you to be gentle with yourself. Stop and take a deep breath. Then calmly analyze the situation. Where is the pressure coming from? If it's external, then you can't control it anyway, so free yourself from the stress. If it's internal, then you can control it, so free yourself from the stress. In other words, you are always in control. Choose to live in accordance with what is in the best interest of your over all well being.
The practice of self-care helps to prioritize your life and bring about order and harmony. It allows you to set boundaries and eliminate distractions that can hinder, or even prevent, you from pursuing your passion and dreams. You can’t operate at a high level when your world is out of balance. It is essential to disconnect from your head and re-connect with your heart on a regular basis. You can’t effectively function in your authentic calling when everything about you is out of harmony. Self-care is a form of self-love—not conceit or egotism, but preservation and nurturing. Order and harmony in the key areas of your life can greatly enhance your outlook.
Don't pressure yourself to lose weight, to be everything to everybody, to be Super Woman at work, etc. Balance is essential to living your best life. Decide what you want, create a plan to get there, be patient with yourself in the process, and don't forget to stop and smell the roses along the way!
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If you've allowed an area of your life to careen out of kilter, examine the root cause and take steps to bring it back into balance. Rebecca McClain is founder of Life Treasures LLC, a life enrichment company. As an entrepreneur, author, speaker and life coach, she is recognized as an expert in personal and professional success.