Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

You can't pour from an empty cup.

Today I am wearing my Mom hat. I have a kiddo graduating from high school and I am sure you know (or can imagine) that with that comes a big decision-making season. There are many needs, many requests, and a lot of questions for me. 

And the truth is that if I don't take care of myself first, then I can't be of any use to anybody else.

The last few days have been all about, “Can we do this?”, “We need to do this” “We need to do that”, “We have to check this box”, and “fill out this form”.

You may be in a similar (yet different) season of life as me, whether it's high school or college, medical situations, job situations, so many other things. If any of this resonates with you, or if you have people pecking at you all the time with an endless list of things to do, let’s take a virtual deep breath together. And again…

Remember, just like they say in the airplane, you have to put the mask on yourself first, before you can help anyone else.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you have to plan an expensive spa day or a big trip away, or anything else that might add to your stress level.

Most of the time, it’s the little things that you do daily and consistently, taking the time for yourself that make all the difference. 

Here are 3 ideas you can use to fill up your cup:

1. Block off time on your calendar daily (or at least once a week to start). Relax and recharge by engaging in an activity that you love. It could be reading, painting, taking a walk, or gardening.

2. Wake up ten minutes earlier and enjoy your morning tea or coffee quietly before getting your day started (and before everyone else gets up and needs something from you)

3. Take your daily walk to a new location, one that makes you smile. Maybe that’s a new hill to climb, or maybe that’s an outdoor mall to do some window shopping. Whatever resonates with you.

These are just a few ways you can put the mask on yourself first. By incorporating simple practices like these into your daily routine, you will not only fill your cup but also be better able to show up for those special people around you.