I’ll admit that though I try my best to practice what I
preach through
Creative Oasis Coaching, at times I fall short. Routinely
rewarding myself for a job well done is a perfect example.
(Feel free to substitute the word creativity, writing, gardening, crafting or whatever you consider your personal Creative Oasis for the word art in the quote above!)
Even though I know what a good idea it is to “treat yo self”
(for all you Parks & Rec fans out there) after making headway on a project or
crossing something off your to-do list, I often zip right passed this important
step and onto the next big thing.
Luckily, last week the stars aligned and I revoked my membership
to “Martyrs-R-Us*.” You know, the club where we put off anything mildly
enjoyable because we must muddle through with our never-ending have-to-do list!
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been a member.
I treated myself to:
* a fun two-hour catch-up lunch with a dear friend I hadn’t
seen in ages
* a transcendent Abhyanga (Ayurvedic full body treatment)
with
Sweet Ojas
* and a full service and car detailing
All of which left me feeling lighter, healthier, happier and
filled with renewed energy to get back to my passion of helping people make the
time and space in their life for creative fulfillment and fun!
I share this with you as a reminder that though we often
feel like taking time for self-care is taking time away from the things we
should be doing, the truth is, our productivity, health and happiness (in body,
mind and spirit) increases greatly when we nurture ourselves.
“Stockpiles of guilt,
and the fear of being selfish, may prevent you from operating at your full
potential because you underestimate the effect that being good to yourself has
on others. Taking care of yourself can awaken your higher self. This process
has an almost magical quality to it because one of its foundations is the
nurturing of our artist’s child. When nurtured, we return the favor with grand
displays of creativity.”
(Is it any wonder that she helped me totally transform my
life by introducing me to the amazing methods of Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching?!)
How might you give yourself permission to enjoy a little (or
not so little) reward in the coming week?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
* Enjoy 10 minutes coloring in a mandala
* Eat lunch outside on your patio
* Sign up for a creative class or workshop
* Get a chair massage at Whole Foods
* Read a magazine during the day (gasp!)
* Dive in to some guilt-free craft time
* Try a new restaurant for dinner
* Take a nature walk with your camera
* Make a handmade card for a friend
* Write a letter and send it through snail mail
and this small, but oh so delightful reward I just gave myself for writing this Mid-Week Oasis Moment:
* one piece of Adora dark chocolate calcium followed by a ten minute catnap in the sun on my back patio
I guarantee as good as that sounds, it felt even better!
(Note to self - this is your new favorite small reward!)
What sounds like a good self-care reward to you? I’d love to hear your
ideas and better yet how you feel after you’ve given yourself permission to
enjoy them!
Until next time, all the best from my self-nurturing
Creative Oasis to yours,
Jill
www.creativeoasiscoaching.com
You'll also receive a free copy of "Permission to Be Creative 101" – my e-booklet that will help you take the first small steps to make the time and space for creative fulfillment – your Creative Oasis – in your busy life!
