Each day, laptop and children permitting, I’ll share a prompt that’s been on my mind, and a few of my thoughts.
You are welcome to share your own perspective in the comments, or just journal it out!
What helps me feel like my best self?
Transformation. It sounds unlikely. If not impossible.
But, is it?
My friend Allie, @lookslikewandering , talks often about her “three things”. Phil Stutz describes it as “the protocol”, which Brooke Snow defines as daily “habits of self-care”.
I call them my non-negotiables:
- Having a daily affirmation or focus
- Getting dressed for the day
- Getting outside each day
- Setting and accomplishing my top priority (rather than my whole to-do list)
- Spending quality time with my kids, my spouse, and my God
- Making time for myself
- Reflecting over the day, what went well, what could go better, and what I’m grateful for
- Exercising and moving by body
- Eating mindfully
- Staying hydrated
Maybe I should narrow it down 😅. Some days, things get cut. But, most days, it’s a pretty simple routine. 30 seconds. 1 minute. Quality time. 5 minutes. Spare a thought.
As Jeff Olson puts it in The Slight Edge:
Everything you need to do to transform your life is easy to do… It’s just a matter of mastering the mundane – of repeating simple little disciplines that, done consistently over time, will add up to the very biggest accomplishments. Of course, it’s just as easy not to… That’s the choice you face every day, every hour: A simple, positive action, repeated over time. A simple error in judgment, repeated over time. So easy to do. So easy not to do.
Do you believe that? Is it too far fetched? What are your non-negotiables? What simple daily disciplines help you show up as your best self? What helps you feel better when you’re having a hard day?
❤ Jenny
Does having a coffee count? That’s my one non-negotiable.
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Definitely. Haha!
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Jeff is a wise man. I love his quote and also your routine list. Learning to show myself grace, even when I can’t meet up with all of my day’s tasks, has been of great help to me. 😊
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Grace is so important! It keeps everything else sustainable ❤ Thank you for sharing, sis.
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Getting enough sleep
Eating a well balanced diet
Coffee
Completing tasks
Spending time with a friend
Writing a story or poem I’m proud of
Getting a haircut (for some reason, this always makes me feel better)
Spending time out in the sun
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I love this list! Writing something you are proud of is such a great one. It’s so important to include what fulfills us – not just survival. Thanks for sharing.
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I must admit I’m enjoying your posts, Jenny. Certainly thought provoking and encouraging. A few of my non negotiables
Coffee
Devotional
Exercise
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Thank you for your kind words, friend. I love your list! Daily Devotionals can set the tone for so much goodness. Thanks for sharing.
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Whatever it is that makes me feel better, I could use some of it right now…
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I hope you find it ❤
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Quiet time with God first thing in the morning. Nothing else comes close to this for grounding me in my best self and giving me the grace to act like it! Boy do I need that grace! lol
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Amen. Me, too. Grace is the most precious gift. It’s like you mentioned earlier. Remembering God’s view of us helps us grow in love. 🙂
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Also, if I could comment on your articles I would! I always love your thoughts. The story of your sweet boy teaching you a precious lesson of encouraging even when we are down was so powerful. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks so much! You can’t comment! 😱 Thanks for letting me know. I have to fix that
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You are welcome! I wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not, so I thought I’d mention it.
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