time to pause - a taste of the Self Care Survival Kit newsletter

This weekend we have the luxury of a three day weekend in the UK. Sorry if you're reading this from elsewhere, however, I bet you get a good dose of public holidays too! Last weekend, I lost four days to a hideous migraine, so I am so happy and grateful to get this bonus day for this weekend - and the sun is shining so double gratitude there.

On the last day of the migraine last week, I took myself out for a walk. I needed to have some fresh air as cabin fever set in after three days at home. The sun was shining and I knew that breathing in deeply the much needed oxygen to reset and recharge me, in the sunshine was the way forward. That's when I got my inspiration for the first Self Care Survival Kit tip this week... let me know if you get out and about and do it yourself!.

a taste of the Self Care Survival Kit newsletter

So often we don't take time to pause. We are all so busy, so hectic and often this is seen as a good thing, a thing to celebrate - the false belief that productive = busy = good. We can also be busy fools, doing tasks that don't serve us either because we have to, we feel beholden to someone else to do it or we think that it is benefitting us. My opportunity to have much time to pause during my migraine session last week showed me that being "busy" is not always good. We have to sit with ourselves, be present, deal with any emotion that may come up and by taking time to pause, we can replenish, recharge and reset in more ways that we care to really consider.

I used to believe that by being busy all the time, this was my way of making my mark on the world, of showing the world what I could do, achieve and cram into the day and that would make me a success. Now, I reflect on this and realise that I was close to burnout, that I was pushing myself too far and that by missing the moments to pause and recharge, I was doing myself a disservice. Taking time out for self care is part of the journey of success. By resting and relaxing, that doesn't mean that we are not achieving. We need to nourish ourselves in order to be at our best and so often with so much around us that can help seem like we are having balance - spa days, hair appointments, yoga classes, running club - actually we are confining ourselves to a schedule, we are trying to tick those things off our list - when simply being can be just the tonic we need. So this week's Self Care Survival Kit tips come from a place of pausing. They come from a place of a slower pace, and enjoying it. Not always feeling the sense of 'doing' but the sense of 'being'. I have said this before here, remember that we are Human BEING's not Human DOINGS!

SELF CARE TIP #93: Outdoor ABC's

So this little game, I came up with on my walk last weekend. I guess it's a little bit like i-spy but probably harder. 
Take some time to explore the outdoors, whether you do this alone or with family or friends. Go on a walk and don't take your phone, listen to any music or have any distractions.  I did this just me, myself and I and it opened my field of vision up so much. It was very freeing to be away from technology for a couple of hours and to spend some time really paying attention to the space around me. 

So the aim of the game is to go on an outdoor wander and to work your way through the alphabet. Trying to spot each something to represent each letter of the alphabet as you work through it. Try no to rush ahead, if you see something for W well ahead of it's time you can't save it up - it's about seeing what is around you in the moment.

Try to keep away from the obvious - no L for Leaves or T for Trees.... it really is quite a taxing but fun challenge - I got stuck on K so let me know if you find something for that letter. 

By doing this you are really making a conscious effort to be in the present. To survey your environment around you and open your eyes to things you may pass by on a daily basis but never notice.  It is a great way to really focus on the here and now and the space around you and as I found, open up  your field of vision - Good luck!

SELF CARE TIP #94: Take time to potter

I've written before about clearing plans from your diary, making time for self care and embracing the "I've got nothing to do" feeling. This weekend why not take some time to simply potter about

This might be a classic English term so what I mean by it is, to wander around your house, garden, an exhibition, farmers market etc. Anywhere where you can take your time to wander and to just be. With no timetable, no specific chore or task to complete.

Today I pottered around the garden. Rather than think "I must cut the grass" or "maybe I'll take out that plant", I just wandered around. I noticed what was around me. Plants that I hadn't seen before, colours I hadn't appreciated fully.

Take time to explore your surroundings this weekend in a calm, relaxed way with no plan. As I said earlier, open your field of vision, appreciate what is around you and notice your world - it will be smaller and more interesting than you think.

About the Self Care Survival Kit

The Self Care Survival Kit newsletter is a twice a month email hitting inboxes around the world on a Friday morning (depending on your timezone), with two self care tips based on a theme to help you bring some self care moments into your weekend and the week ahead. Founder and editor @rachelletham writes from the heart in an introduction before exploring those easy to do, usually free of charge self care tips and strategies .

This blog post is an example of the Self Care Survival Kit newsletter - you can sign up for it right here. Take 5 minutes over a glass of something chilled or your favourite hot beverage to make time for you and be in the moment.