Sometimes life gets full and I zoom through my days, taking care of everyone and everything. Then bedtime comes and as I stand in the bathroom brushing my teeth, I look in the mirror and remember all the things that help me thrive – and I realize I’ve spent a day, a week or a month forgetting about the simple things that help me be my best self.
To get back on track, usually all it takes is piece of paper, a pen and some moments of quiet. When I write down my non-negotiable rules, I come back around to remembering who I am. For a moment, the hum of the world stops and all of the outside influences fade.
I know myself better than anyone. I know how energetic I feel when I’m eating well, and I know how sluggish and weak I feel when I eat too much sugar.
I know how good I feel when I go to bed early and get enough rest to get up early and write in the morning, while the kids sleep. I know how I feel when I laugh with my husband and sing with my kids and get some time outside every day.
When I slow down enough, I remember my non-negotiable rules for being my best and instead of feeling like I’ve lost myself, I remember who I am, and what helps me thrive.
If you’ve been going through the motions and you feel tired and hungry, with a foggy brain and a heavy heart, grab a paper and a pen and write down your own non-negotiable rules. What helps you thrive?
Here’s a list of my own non-negotiables……
- Sleep. When I don’t sleep enough, I’m hungry, irritable, depressed and emotional, but with enough sleep, life is actually really good! For me, sleep is such an important part of my well-being.
- Less Sugar. For me, sugar is like a horrible, addictive drug. It gives me blood sugar highs and lows, it makes me tired, hungry and even moody. But when I eat more protein and cut sugar out, I really feel great. My energy returns and my body thanks me.
- Laughing with my husband. Every couple has their “thing” and for us, one of our things is laughter. Secretly, I think we’re really hilarious together, but we’re both sort of introverts so unfortunately, no one except us ever sees this side of us.
- Embrace quiet time. Time to read, to learn and to write.
- Cut the clutter. Clutter and I are not friends. When I create clutter-free spaces in our home, I think more clearly, I find things easier and our family stays more organized.
- Time hands-free and offline. I love social media, I really do, but I need hours in my day where I don’t check in (and I’m not good at this). Having certain hands-free hours is good for me and for my family.
- Go to my yoga class. Yoga is teaching me to be fully present and to be thankful for my health. It’s one of those things that is clearly so good for me.
- Spend time with like-minded women with big hearts. I want to spend my time around women who live well, mother well and cheer for each other. These women exist and I love the heck out of them.
- Practice immense gratitude in all moments. Thankful people are happy people and there’s no way around it.
- Teach my children to love well by example. When we spread love together, it feels like right then, I’m living in the way I was created to live. I want them to know how rewarding it is to make someone’s day better. I want to teach love. Model love. Be love.
I’d love to know what your own non-negotiable rules are … what would you put on your list?
