Today is Mother’s Day and I woke early, I mean 3 a.m. kind of early. I am fighting jet leg from a recent trip to Europe which has me feeling tired and sluggish even after being active with at least two walks per day.
I wondered…
- Is it aging?
- Could it be diet?
- Is it a hormone imbalance?
- Is it stress?
- Is it sleep deprivation?
- Is it lack iron or protein in my diet?
It might be a combination of all of the above.
Regardless, I’ve decided to dig in and dig deep. I can’t let a full work schedule be an excuse not to try to make positive changes.
I love what I do, I mean really love my work so that part is all buttoned up with goodness.
At this point, it is about experimenting with what I want to embrace with a beginner’s mindset.
Here’s what I’ve realized with this refreshed belief:
- It is about doing the work. This means there is no quick fix.
- It includes taking baby steps, consistently every day. Let’s face it…this is hard.
- It also means a renewed sense of commitment. I will give my health a fighting chance as I want to feel refreshed, full, and energized. This is my internalized or intrinsic motivation. It is my deeper why.
How will I do this?
I will make it a pilot project.
When I try something new or different, I call it a pilot.
A pilot somehow feels doable with less pressure. It is an “experiment” that I can tweak, review, and revise.
To Do
Here’s what I’ve decided to do:
- Simplify grocery shopping: I use Instacart now.
- Simplify meal planning: I use MyFitnessPal (Premium +) which has the meal plan feature.
- Keep it simple. Eat the food I like that is low carb and low sugar and takes under 5 minutes to prepare for breakfast and under 30 minutes to prepare for lunch and dinner.
- Make enough so there are leftovers.
Keep It Simple
I don’t need to complicate it or overthink it.
I want to be the best person I can be in all my roles both personally and professionally.
This starts with my beginner’s mindset and a belief that it is never too late to try especially when you have setbacks.
One of my favourite Japanese quotes is:
“Fall down seven times, get up eight” or “Nana Korobi ya oki”.
The quote allows for a connection to the power of resilience and perseverance.
Pick Your Mantra
Here are a few mantras that I use:
- Rise after failure.
- Fail forward.
- Growth happens when we move out of our comfort zone.
Pick a quote or mantra that resonates with you and let it fuel a (re)commitment to your well-being.
Take one small step even if it a mindful moment that you initiate through a few deep breaths.
Suggested Readings
(Under 5 minutes)
For more tips about sustainable habits and breathing for mindfulness, please read my other blog posts:
Build Positive Habits You Will Keep
5-Minute Self-Care Tips (focus on breathing techniques)
