Over the last 3 1/2 years of writing this blog, I have changed how I make time and what I do to take care of myself. The goal is still the same: figure out how to stay sane while also making time to enjoy life right now.
I have learned that sometimes the most important thing I can do is rest. Tuesday and Thursday nights are often used for just that. Resting from busy work days. Resting for what is to come tomorrow. Resting because if I push myself too hard too quickly I will get hurt or sick, and I want to be able to stay well both mentally and physically.
Resting does not always mean curling up with a blanket watching tv, but sometimes it does. Resting sometimes means taking a walk outside in the fresh air. Resting can include making crafts, doing a puzzle, journaling or finding something to do that allows your brain to escape from thought after thought about what needs to be done.
About 2 weeks ago I bought a $15 paint by number kit from Target of floral scenes and have done 2 of the 4 that came in the box. It seemed like a pastime for kids, but I really enjoyed having the time to sit and paint while not worrying about screwing it up as the lines and numbers are there as a guide.
I always have tickets purchased for some kind of show or event. Partially because I go to Lifest each year and have been buying a ticket for the next year while I am there, and partially because I enjoy watching art in the form of movies, dance, and musicals. I make plans to watch art to inspire my own art.
Even though I have never had a pet of my own, I do find comfort in spending time with other people and their dogs. I would like to have a dog of my own someday, but for now I enjoy making time to chill with my grandma’s dog Maggie, or other friends or family’s dogs. It is fun to play with them, and to relax and take a nap, too.
As I continue to teach dance, my body doesn’t always move as easily as it once did. I have to take care of my feet, shoulders, and back differently. I have to stretch more on my own, and I am trying to make time each week to exercise on my own outside of the dance studio to keep my strength and stamina up to where I need to be as I dance along with my dancers. Sometimes this means going to physical therapy, even if the only appointments available around my work schedule are at 6:30am. I have made the most of it and continue taking care of myself by taking a book to the coffee shop nearby and reading for a half hour or so before I go to work while eating breakfast and enjoying coffee. The more I take care of my pain and learn new stretches, the better I can assist my dancers and share my knowledge with them on how to care for their bodies, too.
What is something that you can think of to do that will help you take a few minutes to breathe, take a break and rest? It does not have to be something you do every day, but maybe once a week.
Have you been experiencing pain and pushed off talking to your doctor about it? Reach out and make an appointment or talk to friends who may also have similar issues and try what has worked to help them.
Are you tired? Too busy to keep your head on straight? Prioritize sleep and rest. Rest can help you physically, mentally, emotionally, and is necessary for staying sane in this crazy world we live in.
“The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.” – Henry Ward Beecher
“Don’t save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is a special occasion.” – Mary Engelbreit
“I do not want to be a woman whose life is marked by hurry. I want to be a woman whose heart is at peace.” – Lauren Gaskill
A Time for... Everything 
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