Last week I mentioned one of my favorite phrases: "it's all about priorities". In the last few days, I've sat down and re-evaluated my routines, my food choices over the last month, my exercise routines, etc. Things that work in my routine, things that didn't, things that can be improved...you get the idea.

Then I sat down and wrote out my goals and plans. For me, having it on paper really helps to clarify things in my mind. All I have to do is just check back and see how I'm doing on a regular basis, and make adjustments.

Granted, I'm the analytical, planning to a fault, constantly rethinking kind of girl. So this is easy for me to do, in theory. In practice, well, that's where I have to work at it.

So today's homework is to figure out how to make you a priority everyday... and then do it. Make it part of the Halloween challenge if you need to. Success comes when we focus on what we need to do, and we need to take care of us in order to take care of others.

This is a good reminder, Laura. One that I needed. This summer has gotten so hectic with Bill changing shifts several times and Trey's chauffering needs. I didn't even get out on the front porch to do my reading in the evening.

With school starting next week, and Bill's return to first shift next week. I'll be able to return to a schedule. I was thinking about this this morning. One of my newspaper subscriptions has expired - I could go to the library early to read all the papers - reducing the drain on our budget and the recycling. That's one thing I have planned already.

I'm hoping to get walking back in there, too.

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I am trying so hard not to procrastinate and it makes me feel good about me to take care of business right away.

Jilly,
Just wondered if you had ever heard about FlyLady. She is at http://www.flylady.net and her stuff has made a HUGE difference in my ability to deal w/procrastination and general disorganization you are talking about.

Peg

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Originally posted by mountaingirl:
At the risk of sounding like a total witch, I am in no danger of forgetting my ME time.

Yep. I'm with you.

It is more about the priorities...

I noticed on vacation, that dh would often say, "Let's walk over to the ropes course/basket ball court//pool/etc. and you and Jamie can DO something and I'll take pictures."

My priority is more on doing an activity and his is about documenting it. He will say that he needs to be more active, but he values his role as the family archivist more...

I just thought it was interesting because I heard that many times this week, "I want to get a picture of you guys doing ________", but he didn't see himself participating in the activity.

If I don't "write it down," it's just a thought. Writing turns my thought into a goal or reality. I am also making a commitment to me when I put pen to paper.

I agree w/everyone that planning is the key. I however am not a planner, but I'm working on it. I am very fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants, doing whatever, whenever. This has really been problematic, I was always late for things, would forget appts, etc which really made me feel bad about myself. I thought I was taking care of me by not being accountable but realized I was making me guilty and very stressed which is not healthy at all. I have started to write things down, appts go on my calender right next to my work desk, as do any due dates for bills. I am trying so hard not to procrastinate and it makes me feel good about me to take care of business right away.

I so wish I was a morning person, is it possible to become one after 35 years of hating to get up early? I get up at the last possible second and by then my business phone is beginning to ring off the hook! I would like some ME time in the morning, evenings I am too tired for me, ready for me to go to bed.
So I think by organizing my life and taking care of things instead of letting them wait, will help me find some extra time(and sanity) for myself.
Jill

I really believe for me it is about taking my time with everything and not rushing into anything.

Whether it is eating or having a conversation, I mean everything I see I am much more satisfied with the outcome if I just ease into it.

I too am a planner, but by taking my time I can let things flow naturally.

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Granted, I'm the analytical, planning to a fault, constantly rethinking kind of girl.

I'm with you there. My husband says I think ten thoughts to every one of his. I think it's more...

At the risk of sounding like a total witch, I am in no danger of forgetting my ME time. I take it off the top (first thing in the morning)and I always have. Even as a teen, I always got up early to have the time to process and refuel before the day began in earnest. It helps that I'm a morning person - it's just my nature. Whether I read, journal, or just totally enjoy every sip of that first coffee, I am usually in bring-it-on mode before anyone else is awake, which works for me.

What definitely needs work is the social aspect of my life. I get too focussed on life in my house and look up to find I'm off the radar with my friends, not included in plans, and lonely. Having the rich friendships I want takes actual commitment. So, inspired by your homework, I am going to call at least 3 friends to catch up today, and get myself back out there, socially. Summer schedules have disconnected me from some dear people, and I need my girlfriends so much. And the kind of ME time that connects me with friends is what I'm very in need of.

Lynne

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Originally posted by Coaster Girl:
So today's homework is to figure out how to make you a priority everyday... and then do it. Success comes when we focus on what we need to do, and we need to take care of us in order to take care of others.

I'm still working on getting the biggest stressor in my life under control but have a set plan to do something about it today. I'll hopefully be able to post more details later on.

Plotting and planning, are the keys to my doing well. So in plotting out time for myself and time to get my needs met, I have to realize, that no I don't have to be home when my dh walks through the door, June Cleaver I am not. No, I don't have to be here the minute sonnyboy gets home from school, because if memory serves me correctly, there were days last year, where school activites took precidence over being home to meet mom. I also have to realize that when the "bus" leaves at 7:45 with me driving, so I can get to swim by 8:00, it means that a 17 year old had better be in the bus, or find another way to get to school. I am not everyone's end all or it appears their beginning.

Getting out of bed, is half the battle. Going to bed early enough to be able to get out of bed early is the other half for me. My big "if anything happens" will happen whether I get woke up or am sitting in the living room. So go to bed. I think I have used this excuse long enough....or maybe it's better saying this worry long enough.

I allow people to decide what I am going to eat, when I am the one fixing the dinners, lunches or breakfast. If they have special requests, they can help make them the way I can eat them. Portion control is going to be a big thing in our house. Because otherwise, we eat pretty healthy it's just those portions we need to get in hand.

So my "me" time is early in the morning, 8:00 swimming time, and making sure that I've planned what we eat, making sure portions are in the right size. But my relaxing me time, is my journaling, and that takes getting out of the house and doing it on a daily basis. It's time. I have waited for it, I have dreampt about it, I have worked hard to get this time....now I have to use it to create a more healthier me.

With school approaching it is more challenging for me to work in "ME TIME". I have 2 people I meet for exercise and that will be fabulous...I won't let them down, which in turn means I won't let myself down!

I have been trying to eat less processed foods and that will be my challenge for the new school year. I hope to pre-plan all my meals for a whole week...not just dinners.

I will start getting my classroom ready next week and I need to make an appointment for a pedicure before the 1st!!! I need to remember that NO ONE will no if I am not 100% ready on the first day..as far as room, papers, etc. I need to let the perfectionism go...go....bye-bye!

I am off to Victoria BC tomorrow with girlfriends for a night...my last big event before D-Day (school stuff!

Part of my "taking care of me" philosophy is getting in my exercise as part of my morning routine. It flew by pretty easily for the first 2 weeks, but this week so far has been tough. Maybe it's being tired, maybe it's just still part of the adjusting to the new job.

Today I had to post, knowing that my trainer would see that I was struggling. Accountability for me is huge. But I also had to just make myself get going...because I know that by the end of the night I don't want to do much of anything.

And I like the results, my brand new work pants are already feeling really loose! And, I'm finding that I can handle work much better, I'm less likely to fly off the proverbial handle if I have worked out. And, my struggles with portion control are less tough to handle when I'm already done working out, because I don't want to undo the hard work I put in earlier.

But the biggest thing I need to be focusing on is taking things one day at a time. If I can get out of bed this morning, I'm halfway to my morning workout, which is half the battle. After that, it's all downhill. Once the music starts going, I'm good to go.