How many of you are feeling worn out, run down or broken? The pressures of life are so daily, aren’t they? When life weighs you down it’s easy to find yourself out of sorts and stagnant and in many cases stuck in a rut. This has certainly been my truth in recent times. Dealing with health issues, building a business, caring for an aging parent, navigating a hectic work schedule and coming to terms with my own aging process and all of the stuff that comes with it. As the line from one of my favorite song goes, it’s all too much for my mind.
But I have some good news. Today, May 4th is “Renewal Day”. Renewal Day is a day for refreshing and rejuvenating that which has been in desperate need of being replaced, repaired and revitalized. It’s a day of new beginnings. How wonderful is that? A whole day set aside for renewal.
Now, as amazing as this is, you and I both know one day isn’t enough. But what this day could be for you and I is a catalyst to get the ball rolling on our self-renewal plan. The goal I am suggesting is for us all to embark upon making self-renewal and self-care a routine. Are you committed to doing that? I sure hope so. Here are five things that you can do to set your renewal plan in motion.
Renew Your Vibe
No one has a perfect life. Don’t let the illusion of all the glitz and glamour you see on TV or the fantabulous posts you read on your Facebook timeline fool you. Life is happening to ALL of us! Could your attitude towards your lot in life use some refreshing? If so, the quickest way to renew your attitude towards life is to express gratitude daily. Stop taking your blessings for granted. The very things we often complain about are the very things we once prayed for. Your job, your relationship, your children. Renew your vibe by counting your blessings. Be grateful for the body you have with all of it’s working parts while you work towards making improvements. Be grateful for your relationships, career, friends, health, freedom. As your appreciation begins to grow, you will begin to come alive.
Detox Your Mind
A poisonous mind is not your friend. It takes energy to gossip, blame shift make excuses and remain miserable. No wonder you’re tired, worn out and feel run down. That type of energy is toxic. Just like we detox our bodies we should also practice detoxing our minds. Another line from a song I like says, free your mind and the rest will follow. What you take into your mind spills out in your life. Learn to censor your thoughts. Run them through a filter. If what your thinking isn’t positive, uplifting, edifying, empowering, then I say hit the Alt-Delete button in your mind and start over. Feed your mind with things that inspire and uplift you and watch how quickly you’ll start to come alive.
Declutter Your Environment
A cluttered space produces a cluttered life. Stuff is not our friend. When your space is cluttered, disorganized and a mess, so are you. Make no mistake about it, your environment affects the way you think and feel and show up in life. Whether you realize it or not, you are constantly absorbing messages from your environment. What surrounds you affects what goes on inside of you. The two are closely linked together. The reason you can’t think clearly is that your stuff is calling for your attention. Clear up your space to create a feeling of spaciousness within you and you’ll begin to feel lighter. This will give you more space to maneuver and think. It will open up space for your ideas and creativity to flow freely.
Release A Bad Habit
Do you realize it takes more energy to sustain a bad habit than it does to start a new one? Think about it. There’s the effect of the habit, such as gaining weight, going into debt, poor health, etc. And then there is the shame and guilt that accompanies the effects of overeating, overspending and so on. The habit and the beating combined takes a toll on your overall well-being. Drop the bad habit by breaking the cycle. One small change in your routine can get the ball rolling towards a new and improved you.
Vent Your Feelings
Feelings are meant to be felt, not stuffed, ignored or anesthetized. Frustration, guilt, resentment, anger etc. all need a place to go. If not released these emotions begin to weigh you down and eat you up inside. One way to renew yourself is to own up to having the feelings and then unload the baggage so you can emerge freer and lighter. Find ways to express your emotions in a healthy way. Write or speak them out load. Tell the story once and let it go. Don’t stay in the story. Don’t allow the story to keep you stuck. The bottom line here is to feel your feelings, own the feeling, release them and move on. Feelings buried alive never die.
Your Turn To Share
How are you going to renew yourself today? What are you committed to do on a routine basis to practice ongoing self-renewal?