The Ultimate Remedy for When You're Upset and Overwhelmed

We're experiencing our first bout of cold weather here in the mountains.  I know I should just be grateful we had such a long fall (it's not unusual for it to snow in September!) but honestly, the cold and gray days on top of the crushing demands of my to do list, not to mention all of those humans I'm supposed to be keeping up with left me feeling pretty cold and gray yesterday.

In another email, I mentioned that a few weeks ago, I unusually took the day off from my work appointments.  We all know we can't do this every time we're feeling low.  So what do we do when life is feeling lousy but we still have to show up?  Take a hike!

No, I don't mean leave, avoid or go away. I mean that when life is feeling lousy but we still have to show up, I want you to do something to care for yourself first.

Did I have time to take a hike?  No!  Remember that crushing to do list and all of those humans?  

But yesterday, I decided to start with one human.  The one I live with 24/7, 365.  The one who had to get some work done no matter how she was feeling.  

(Pro tip: I had planned to meet some other ladies which helped me show up and take care of myself.  And look!  The sky was blue and the sun was shining.  Being out in that improved my mood greatly!)

So often, we don't give ourselves permission to take care of ourselves whether that's physically, emotionally or spiritually, until the work is done.  Let's flip that on its head!  Doesn't it make sense that we may approach that work differently if we have taken care of ourselves first?  Imagine expecting your car to run if you don't fuel or charge it first.  Silly right?

And how much more worthy are you?  Even if you don't 100% believe this yet, sometimes "acting as if" gets us closer.