by Suzy Reading | Jul 17, 2018 | article, blog
We’re all aware of the power of goal setting but did you know that reflecting on your accomplishments can be just as potent for motivation and even more importantly, your health and wellbeing? In fact, sitting down to acknowledge what I’ve achieved is one of my favourite self-care activities – there is so much zest to mined there! Just about everyone has a ‘to do’ list, the practice I would love you to consider is a ‘what went well’ list or just ‘what got done’. Too often we fritter away the energy available to us in acknowledging our achievements when we leap straight onto the next thing that needs doing. Pause, notice how far you’ve come, see the mini milestones for the true triumphs they are and feel how this lifts your spirits and bolsters your feeling of self-worth and personal power.
For many of us, the end of the school year provides us with a natural pause. Before your mind launches into preparing for the next chapter, take the opportunity to sit, either on your own, or with your kids and look at how far you’ve come and the ways you’ve grown. Whether the school calendar affects you or not, this is a fruitful exercise to engage in. You don’t need to wait for a time of significance. We can pause to reflect at any time and reap the benefits. While this process might not feel comfortable at first, it is worth the effort.
Think along the lines of:
- What events have unfolded recently and how did you navigate them?
- What have you learnt about yourself and other family members, or your work, your colleagues, or about the world in general?
- How have you grown?
- What skills or strengths have you drawn on?
- What’s gone well? Please let your mind sift over the big and the small stuff – they’ll accumulate and fill you with light and life.
If this feels tricky, break it down into a single day. Scan back through your day and notice what you got done, any challenges you overcame and the strengths that you put to good use. Things don’t need to have gone well in your day to feel a sense of accomplishment! Consider what you might reflect back to a friend if they recounted the same information to you. If the notion of strengths doesn’t sit comfortably, know that there is nothing narcissistic about this concept. We all have strengths, every human has something of value to contribute. It’s not about being more special or important that anyone else, it’s about deepening your awareness of the ways in which you shine as an individual and looking for opportunities to put those strengths to good use. Reflecting on your achievements will empower you with insight into your unique skills and abilities, boosting your sense of agency and wellbeing.
I wish you happy reflecting! Write it down too. Looking back on it will fill up your cup all over again. This is how we make self-care simple and do-able.
Got a question for me? Let me know by emailing me at asksuzy@lifeandme.com.
Suz xx
by Suzy Reading | Nov 7, 2016 | article, blog
Fun festive cheer or stressful mania… which will your December be full of?! We know there’s a tipping point! While Christmas can be a joy-filled time of year it is not without its own unique stresses – family pressures, expectations, calendars jam-packed with social engagements, sweet treats and temptations at every turn… Here are a few ideas that will keeping your wellbeing tiptop at this time of year.
Top tips for keeping your wellbeing in check this Christmas…
- Keep an eye on your energetic bank balance. Just as a car needs petrol to go, we need energy to function well, to be the kind of people we aspire to be and to enjoy life. Get to know your energetic bank balance and take action when you’re feeling depleted. Check in with your energy levels and give yourself permission to act accordingly – burning the candle at both ends might have you feeling reactive and grumpy rather than festive. It can be as simple as making time for a 10 minute meditation to give you enough steam to enjoy your big night out or taking a restorative bath to ease away the post party residue. Be honest with yourself and keep nourishment on the radar. It is not selfish, it is absolutely necessary.
- Keep moving. Quite often the festive season wreaks havoc with our usual patterns of movement… long meals, time on the sofa and very full tummies. By all means enjoy the socialising and family time and it would be a crime not to enjoy the delights of seasonal rituals, but keep moving. Maybe its 5 mins of yoga (take a peek at my YouTube channel for some free and quick yoga sequences), or popping on your favourite tunes and having a boogie at home or it can be as simple as taking a walk around the block. Keep moving to boost your mood and resilience to stress.
- If you are going to indulge… savour it. This is my all-time favourite festive tip. If you are going to eat that pudding, nibble on that shortbread, crack open that bubbly, dig into that roast…. ENJOY IT! Savour every last little bit of enjoyment. Don’t fritter it away with guilt. Don’t waste it by thinking you shouldn’t be doing it. Don’t miss out on the joy by failing to give it your full attention. You might find that life’s joys savoured in this way means you stop a little sooner and have less compensatory work required of you later. Life is meant to be enjoyed, so savour it!
Beaming you love,
Suz xx
by Suzy Reading | Dec 9, 2013 | article, blog
There is much to relish at Christmas time but come January we can wind up feeling sluggish and toxic from indulging in a bit too much fun. These are my top tips for navigating the silly season.
#1: Set an intention for the holiday period. What would you like to achieve? How would you like to feel? Bring mindfulness to your break and use your intention to shape how you spend your precious time. Mine? Simply celebrate family and friends, replenish, and savour the blessings of our Sydney life… (more…)
by Suzy Reading | Oct 18, 2013 | article, blog
I hope it has been a fruitful 8 weeks for you, whether you’ve followed closely, or just a few tips here and there. Take a moment to reflect on what have you’ve learnt during this ‘8 weeks to a better bodymind’ challenge.
Consider three things this challenge has taught you – it can be about yourself, about self-care, or about genuine health and wellbeing? I’d love to hear them so please feel free to email me: suzy@suzyreading.co.uk.
Me? I’ve learnt I can be bold, courageous and can do things differently. I have learnt that I have to back myself and I really, really do know my stuff – the results of this challenge are the living proof.
I will be sharing my before and after photos in a few days and a little more about my own insights. Stay tuned!
by Suzy Reading | Oct 16, 2013 | article, blog
Take a moment now to pause and reflect, maybe jot down some thoughts in your Vitality Journal… Even if you have only tried out a couple of my tips in the last 8 weeks please consider the following:
How has life changed? How have you changed? What does health and wellbeing mean to you now and how does it manifest in your life and in the different roles you play? Who has benefited from these changes and how?
I’d really love to hear about it! Any observations, any feedback! Please drop me a line to suzy@suzyreading.co.uk
