I had good intentions of having this newsletter in your inbox four weeks ago.
It was a business-related new year’s resolution, in fact: to be more timely and consistent with sending out our email newsletter. The busy holiday season swiftly turned into post-holiday clean up, and before I knew it, the chaotic, back-to-school adjustment had arrived. Drafts of this newsletter sat, untouched, for weeks.
Was my resolution unreasonable? Was I expecting too much of myself? Maybe. Maybe not.
The answers to those questions are important to consider, but it is not what matters most. What matters most is: how do I treat myself in a situation like this, when I didn’t meet my own expectations? What is my inner narrative when a task I deem to be of importance is left out there - hanging - waiting to be finished and I just. can’t. get to it.
Do I beat myself up? Tell myself I should better prioritize, stop procrastinating? Make more time. Rest less. Work more. Produce. Produce. Produce.
Or, instead… can I extend myself some grace? Take a deep breath. Speak to myself, kindly, as I would a friend: “It’s okay. Life has been really busy. No one except you is worried about this work not being done. The work will always be there. Go. Rest. Hug your babies. Eat some food. Nourish your body with exercise, and your mind with a book. Be kind to yourself. You’ll get to this newsletter when you are able, with a motivated mind and rested heart.”
This year at Energize, we want to strive to promote kindness and self compassion. By developing a more compassionate attitude towards ourselves, we may also learn to be kinder and more understanding of others. Mistakes and setbacks (real or perceived) can be seen as learning opportunities, allowing us to practice self-compassion and forgiveness rather than berating ourselves for failing. Through this approach, we can foster a deeper connection with ourselves, our communities, and the greater world around us. Be kind to yourself. This is the only resolution you need.
I invite you to join me in this resolution. Set the simple but profound intention to be kinder to yourself in 2023. Your self-compassion and love will bring better health and happiness to you, and will create a ripple effect, positively impacting those around you in ways you likely can’t even imagine. 🦋
Please accept my kindest and warmest new year’s wishes, belated but sincere. Thanks for being here, and I hope to cross paths with you at one of the clinics soon.
