Hello, Gallivanters!

My favorite holiday is almost upon us: New Year’s Eve!

I’ve said it before, but I love all things personal development, setting goals, and planning for the future. So I love making New Year’s Resolutions and the idea of a fresh start that comes with a new year.

So for the next few weeks, I’ll be in prep mode for 2024.

I don’t think you need to start everything on January 1st, I go into more detail on my thoughts around the “New Year, New Me” mantra in last year’s blog post.

I do think we all should take the time and reflect on our lives in 2023, and how we can improve upon our experience for 2024!

I have a lot of exciting new things happening for me in 2024, (that I can’t wait to blog about!), so I want to make small improvements now so that I can be ready for them.

Upon personal reflection, self-care is something that I don’t make enough time for.

I think many of us can relate, but when life gets busy, it seems like I steal time back by neglecting to take care of myself, even if it’s just “little” things.

If I’ve learned anything in my personal development journey, it’s that the devil is in the details.

The habits that fire together wire together, so it’s a slippery slope, at least for me.

I’ve realized that taking the time to care for myself isn’t “selfish” and there aren’t better uses of my time.

Taking care of myself through self-care makes me feel more confident in myself and affects the way I present myself in the world, from the inside out.

So today, I’d like us to do a short exercise and be more self-ish.

Today, I’d like you to come up with 5 self-care items that you want to do for yourself, but don’t seem to have time for.

You should assess where you are in the implementation of your goals, current habits and how busy you are when deciding if you want to come up with more or less self-care items you’d like to prioritize.

I’m going to share mine for reference and inspiration, but these should be individualized and specific to you.

#1 Haircut and Blowout – every 6 weeks

#2 Wash Bedroom Sheets – every 2 weeks

#3 Deep Clean Car – once a month

#4 Night with Friends – twice a month

#5 Deep Cleansing Facial – once a month

Then, open your calendar for the month. Either a physical planner or your *Google Calendar. Fill out these self-care items in your planner like you would any other non-negotiable, can’t miss, appointment.

You wouldn’t miss an important meeting, hence the reason for putting it in your calendar.

The same idea goes for this, and writing it down will help hold yourself accountable. You won’t schedule on top of it, you’ll schedule around it.

*tip for Google Calendar users who share availability for work: you can make a personal calendar that can only be seen by you in your settings.

At the end of the month/beginning of the next month, see how you did and what you need to schedule into your next month.

Ex.) Count out six weeks from the day of your last haircut, and call and make an appointment. Even better, make the appointment while you are still at the salon by opening your planner.

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Expenses don’t have to play a role in your ability to implement these self-care habits. You can do your own skincare, make dinner at home with friends, and save up loose change for a month to treat yourself once a month to something special.

Your version of self-care might just be taking the time to light a candle, slow-down, and be intentional with your day.

The point is, you are worth the extra effort.

You probably are an invaluable resource for so many people in your life, so make sure you are getting watered too.

-Allison