Many people journey through life just go through the motions, some have a mental checklist : study, marriage, kids, career ( maybe juggling kids, maybe stay at home but focusing on the kids) . Others are told what the norm is and they’re expected to follow this, no questions asked.

And if this works for you then who am I to say otherwise? 

But for some, one day, they wake up and realize that they’re not happy- not completely “peace in yourself” happy. In fact, I’ve had people complain that they feel caged, like they can’t breathe or that they’re exhausted. And I believe that this, my dear friends, is because you’re not fulfilled.

Whilst you were busy ticking off the checklist or making sure that your kids were achieving everything or you were plugging away to get to the top of your career, somewhere along the way you stopped doing things for you. You may have thought you had no choice but the problem is, if you don’t focus on you, there’s ALWAYS going to be resentment. Even if it doesn’t come out now, it will fester inside you. 

The answer is simple: figure out what makes you happy, something exclusive for you and then do it.

This could be different things for different people. Some, may like to exercise or pamper themselves, others like to read, some will enrol on a course, others bake. Whatever it is, you have to ensure that you feel good after you do it. But remember, it’s for you. You don’t need VALIDATION for it. 

Remember:

1) If your life has always been keeping up with others or waiting for approval, this will be a learning curve for you because nobody else may do the same as you. In fact, I would go as far as to recommend that you do it WITHOUT those you normally do things with, this is personal to you. 

2) There’s no guarantee that you’ll get approval, but you don’t need it. This is about you not them. 

3) Be open minded. Your chosen self care activity may not be what you think it would or should be.

4) Be true to yourself

5) And when you figure it out, you have to give it time . It’s not going to give you the warm and fuzzies overnight but if it’s for you, in time it will. 

And when it does, you won’t feel caged anymore, your breathing will regulate and your energy levels will soar once again. 

Rx