Self-Care: Follow-up from one year ago

It has been one year to the day that I wrote my last self-care blog post (See Self-Care: Walking the Walk October 3, 2009). At that time I vowed not to take on any new volunteer projects for one year and I am happy to report that I kept that vow. I never realized how many times I am asked to help out with things – be on a  committee, run for office in a professional association, chair this, do that – until I started saying No. It was difficult at first but got easier over time.

I did have a professional organizer come in and help me clean out my basement, garage, and attic. I had a huge garage sale this summer and got rid of so much stuff. What a weight off of me. And interesting that I should use that phrase because I am now on an exercise and weight loss regimen – down 12 pounds so far and in it for the long haul this time. I am finally ready to let go of this excess weight I have been carrying around for years. It seems I am shedding excess baggage in every aspect of my life. 

In the last year I also worked with a coach for 3 months to help me prioritize my life and work through some obstacles that have been holding me back from moving forward with bigger plans and dreams I still have for myself and my life.

I took a vacation by myself  (1st time I ever did that!) and went to Miraval spa in Arizona where I attended a wellness program by Dr. Andrew Weil himself.  I re-read Cheryl Richardson’s Take Time for Your Life, attended a meditation workshop at the Kripalu Center, and have started reading more about mindfulness, Buddhism (as an approach to life), and embracing the second half of life (I’m over 50).

As I’m “cleaning up” one area of my life, it’s opening up a space for new energy in another. What are you holding onto in yourself, your life, and your surroundings that no longer serves you?