Five years ago, when I opened Arise Osteopathy, I had to navigate all the challenges of self-employed work and the early years of motherhood. I wrote this blog post about work/life balance. Amazingly, it all still rings true for me even now.
The crux of my light bulb moment? That it’s not about striving for the perfect balance of a tightrope walker on a high wire. It’s about finding the steady & sustainable pace of a long distance athlete. A pace that allows for bursts of speed when invigorated or a steady stroll when needed, makes life more sustainable over the long term.
At that time, I also had a very wise midwife say to me ‘There is no rush’. That also still rings true. Why do we rush from one stepping stone to the next, barely pausing to enjoy the moment? What do we gain from squeezing so much into life that we can’t cherish each moment as it comes?
Christmas can be a time of joyous chaos. I want to offer a little reminder that you don’t have to do it all. IT’S OK TO SAY NO. It’s ok to not be everything to everyone all of the time.
If you haven’t yet learnt to say no when needed, then create a list of your top 5 self-care routines. Put it in the centre of your fridge and commit to finding a moment, even a small one, for yourself each day.
Here’s my list.
- A cup of coffee and a skim of the paper to start the day slow
- My adaptogenic herbs in the morning, and my magnesium at night
- Riding my bike to work or a short slings myofascial training routine on school days
- A lie on my shakti mat before bed
- Acupuncture once a month to deeply restore and replenish all that give, each and every day.
Wishing you all a calm & restorative Christmas season.