We all know we should be taking care of ourselves.
But that doesn’t mean we do it…
So often we are waiting for motivation to do the things we need to do, but motivation doesn’t always get the job done.
So what happens when we don’t have motivation? Usually nothing.
I’ve learned that we can’t rely on motivation.
I’ve learned that I have to stay committed even when I’m not motivated.
Here’s how I stay committed when I’m not motivated:
- Planning
When I have a plan for my day and week, I’m much more likely to stick to what I have to do. When I don’t have a plan, I drift and I don’t commit to what I have to do.
Every weekend, I sit down and write out my schedule for every day of the next week, hour for hour.
For someone who does not plan, planning your day hour for hour can seem overwhelming. If this is you, I encourage you to simply plan what you want to complete each day.
I use Chic Influencer planner to plan my day and it has been a lifesaver! I feel so much less anxiety and overwhelm when I have a plan for my day.
- Remembering my why
Do you know your why? Your why is the reason you are taking care of yourself.
When I was younger, I felt so uncomfortable in my skin. Whatever clothes I wore, I felt uncomfortable. I was semi-active, but definitely not taking care of my body.
When I went to college, I had to learn to do a lot of things on my own, including taking care of myself. I started going to the gym a couple days a week. I started feel better and started to explore how I can continue to feel better. I began learning more about nutrition and self-care.
My senior year of college I felt better than I ever had and I knew I never wanted to go back to how I felt before. Continuing to feel good in my skin is my WHY.
Think about why you want to take care of yourself. Is it for a feeling? Is it so you can keep up with your kids? Is it to take care of your health or prevent future illness?
This is what will keep you going. Don’t forget this.
- Just starting
Starting is the hardest part.
Sometimes we know what we need to do and we know we will feel better, but we can’t get ourselves to do it.
90% of the time when I am going to workout I don’t want to do it. I just have to get myself started.
But I have never regretted a workout. I always feel better after and I’m always glad I did it.
The hardest part is getting started.
So how do you get started? You just do it.
We have to move past the feelings of dread and just do what we need to do.
Even if you have to tell yourself you are just going to do two minutes or ten minutes, you will probably keep going when you do.
So just go.
These 3 steps have kept me consistent with taking care of myself for years. I don’t even think about debating whether or not to do my workouts, self-care, or what I want to put in my body.
I just do it. It’s part of who I am.
And I have never felt better!
If you are just starting out on your self-care journey, just remember to give yourself grace. You won’t be perfect and there will be days you don’t take care of yourself.
You always have the next day, though.
Don’t give up because of one, two, even a week of days where you don’t take care of yourself. Pick up right where you left off. Remember your why. And just start.
