Feeling depleted? Make some fresh tracks to reclaim your energy

Earlier today, a client so thoughtfully asked me what I do to take care of myself.  This is a fair question given the nature of my work as well as taking care of my family, that I am other-facing most of the day every day.  

Five years ago, my answer would have been that I exercise every day, I have a strong faith life and intentionally connect with friends and family for support and laughter.  Those things are all still true. What I added today, though, as I continue to repair and build my Wellness Foundation, is that I got off the hamster wheel: I stopped assuming that it was "normal" for me to work full time, take care of my family, be involved in my community, and try to be pretty, skinny and nice while spinning 10 plates!  

None of those things are bad but the pace I used to live them also doesn't allow me to have the space and time I need to take care of my very basic needs or build resiliency practices that help me begin my day with peace, calm and clarity and recover from demands throughout and at the end of the day.  

Earlier this week, I was out on the trail after a snowfall.  I noticed on the way back that my footprints were still the only ones there.  I got to thinking about how this is how I felt when I started making changes to my life to repair and build my Wellness Foundation.  I was no longer participating in the lie that living with this chronic, detrimental stress was normal.  At first, I wondered if I was doing something wrong.  Most people around me were still hustling, looking great, seemed to be having fun and living great lives.  

But when I checked my heart (and the comparison trap), I remembered that when I lived this way, I was sick.  Physically sick, mentally, emotionally and spiritually depleted.  

So I keep taking steps to repair, to heal and to build a stronger foundation so that I can authentically and wholly enjoy the one and only life  that I was given in good health.  

Will you join me?