I have a friend who proudly sings“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” after her children board the school bus. It's become an annual celebration of sorts. Alternatively, I have other friends who share via socialal media post how sad they are that the summer has ended and “Their babies are back to school. “
There are obviously some mixed emotions about this time of the year. And I'm certainly not an expert on what parents should or should not be feeling. What I do know about, however, is self-care and wellness.
It's time to ask yourself an important question: How do you want to spend this time?
What is it that you’ve put to the side,
neglected or ignored for years now,
that truly makes you happy?
What is that thing that brings joy to your soul?
It doesn't have to be some colossal, life changing thing…it just has to be something that brings a smile to your face and a light in your life.
Start by grabbing your journal and a pen, then ask yourself thesee questions:
What’s stopping you? Better yet, why are YOU stopping YOU?
What will happen if you take action today? What would happen if you didn’t?
What are you afraid of? When was the last time you pushed the boundaries of your comfort zone?
If not now, then when?
Do you love yourself?
What advice would you give your son or daughter if they came to you in the future, feeling like they were holding back from doing something that brought them joy?
If you actually took the time to write down the answers to these questions, you'll have discovered things about yourself that maybe you didn't know.
If, on the other hand, you read through these questions, and didn't write down your answers, I suggest you go back, and do so. If you still won't do it, then you're making the choice to stay where you are, and you must honor and accept that decision.
If you’re waiting for something magical or miraculous to happen, please don’t, because in the end, you’re the only one that can create the life you want, the life of your dreams. It may sound harsh but in my opinion it’s the truth. I think it may even be the kind of advice you give your children,if you think about it.
So why not be an example and take your own advice.
Do something today that your future self will thank you for.
Our actions and decisions we make today will shape the way we will be living in the future.
“What is life for? It is for you.”
-Abraham Maslow