A) Doing it completely on your own
                                             B) Following online programs but not interacting
                               C) Occasionally working out with a friend
                                                             D) Part of a consistent community or accountability group
E) Working with a coach
                                          F) Wanting support but not sure where to find it

Comment below and tell me your answer. 

Because awareness is step one.

And connection might be the missing piece.

You don’t need more willpower.

You might just need more people.

xoxo,

Kim

The new year is a time that we plan and set new goals for ourselves moving forward.  Some of us more “Type A” personalities even plan out every action step along the way towards reaching those goals.  And, quite honestly, that is the best way to achieve goals - by focusing on the smaller action steps to get there.  BUT - and this is a big but, sustaining those action steps day after day and week after week to reach our goals can be difficult without replenishing our energy stores - something that many of us overlook!

As a person with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a chronic condition, I’ve had to learn that in order to succeed I need to pace myself.  If I push myself too hard, I hit a wall and ultimately break down, injure myself, get sick, or give in and accept failure before I get where I want to be.  But, if I recharge regularly, I can keep going and going just like that energizer bunny!  The same is true for every one of us.  My body just makes me more acutely aware when it is past time to recharge.  Your’s might give you more subtle signs.  What I’ve found though, is that by scheduling that self-care time before I hit that wall, actually putting it on my calendar and building into my day, I can avoid those dips in energy, and other more devastating setbacks and continue on, and on, and on at a steady pace.

There are certain things I do to recharge daily, others weekly, and still others that I can afford to push out to once a month.  Here are some ways I schedule in self care - I hope you can adapt and adopt some them for your needs too!

• I take time each morning to plan my top 3 priorities.  Things that I will know when they are done, I will feel accomplished even if nothing else goes according to plan the rest of the day.

• I also take a few minutes each morning to activate my core so I have my best chance to move in the right ways throughout the rest of the day and not tweak anything.

• I recharge with a healthy afternoon snack and drink around 3 pm so I don’t drop in energy levels or get hangry before dinner.

• I take just a little time to myself in the evening before bed to reflect, focus on the things I am grateful for that happened that day, reset and settle my mind before sleeping.

• I plan recovery days into my workout routine each week where I stretch, foam roll, align my posture and give my muscles a chance to rebuild.

• I take at least an hour each week, many times more, to plan out my week because knowing my schedule helps me to be way less stressed.

• I schedule at least one if not two or three self-care visits each month, whether it is massage, chiropractic, hair appointment, teeth cleaning, checkup etc.

What does it mean to shine?  When I think of that word - shine, I think of something that stands out among others, something that sparkles. It catches you eye, your attention and makes you look twice.  I think of something that glows, that is clean, new looking, something that is clear and spotlighted in focus.

So how do we, as people, shine?  We shine by having all those qualities, a clear focus, a sparkle, something that catches the attention of others, but I’m not talking about something flashy that you wear. Someone who shines has an inner glow that goes beyond the quick second glance and holds attention.  It creates true attraction.  

That inner light comes when we are true to ourself, living life authentically and to its fullest, actively serving a purpose that our heart is truly calling us to champion.  We shine when we honor ourselves and our needs, and we also honor others.  We shine when we take it upon ourselves to always strive to be better, but also have the humility to know we can always learn from someone else and never act as if we have arrived; when we have the grace to forgive; when we have the generosity to put someone else’s need first; when we have a grateful and loving heart.

In short, we shine by always striving to do and be our best version of ourselves. 

So I ask, what is your heart calling you to do?  Why? Are you currently in a place where you can follow that dream?  What needs attention to help you become the best possible version of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually so that you can follow your passion and sustain it?  Where is it that you would like to start?  Pick one area of your life, start there, and then, gradually, build on it.  It’s time.