A Permission Slip and a Sigh of Relief: Embracing Life's Tender Choices

The past years have been a whirlwind — building businesses, nurturing teams, and embarking on a journey of personal growth and healing.

As I reflect on this, the initial grand plan for more has evolved into a tender realisation and a permission slip.

Balancing a myriad of challenges—supporting a high school-bound child, tending to a declining parent, orchestrating live speaking events, selling a house, and scaling a business—the tipping point became evident.

I was piling on responsibilities (like I've always done) when I realised I needed to pause. The constant mantra of "just get on with it" was no longer sustainable.

Sometimes, we get entangled in the race, losing sight of our destination. We forget that we have the power to make changes, to ease the pressure.

If you’ve also found yourself nearing the end of the first quarter of 2024 biting off a little more than you can chew, let this be your permission slip.

You are allowed to create a plan that involves tenderness. You don’t have to toughen up and just get on with it. You have choices.

Exhale.

This is a call to reassess how your life feels and to embrace the power of making small or large changes. Life isn't meant to be a perpetual race where you're a few steps behind. Take a moment to ask yourself where you can slow down or even stop to catch your breath.

Your focus might need to be on caring for yourself or your family for a beat.

Realise that it's all within your power, and life is full of glorious, bold, and tender choices.

Embrace them.

If you need more incentive to prioritise your self-care in 2024, here is some research you might find helpful. In a national survey, Americans cited benefits of self-care as: enhanced self-confidence (64%), increased productivity (67%), happiness (71%). From a physical health perspective, self-care also reduces heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Mental Health First Aid USA, in a March 14, 2022, article lists self-care goals as:

• Take care of your physical and psychological health.
• Manage and reduce stress.
• Recognise your emotional and spiritual needs.
• Foster and sustain relationships.
• Achieve balance in different areas of your life.

Here are a few ways to get started:

1. Grant Yourself a Permission Slip for Pause:

It's crucial to recognise the value of taking a step back from the constant demands of life. Give yourself permission to pause and reflect. Understand that it's okay to take a break from perpetual growth and expansion. Allow yourself the grace to assess how your life truly feels and make necessary adjustments.

1. Celebrate Progress Over Perfection:

Instead of striving for an unrealistic ideal, focus on acknowledging and celebrating your small victories and achievements. Recognise that growth is a journey, and each step forward, no matter how small, contributes to your overall well-being.

1. Create Your Inner Sanctuary: Take intentional steps to create your own inner sanctuary. Whether it's through mindfulness practices, meditation, or simply spending quiet moments alone, carve out time to reconnect with yourself. Let this be a sanctuary where you can find balance, alignment, and a sense of calm.
2. Establish Healthy Boundaries:

Clearly define your personal and professional limits to create a balanced and supportive environment. Learn to say "no" when necessary and communicate your needs openly. Whether it's negotiating workload, setting aside dedicated time for self-care, or expressing your emotional boundaries in relationships, being specific about your limits ensures you prioritise your well-being without overcommitting.

Which would give you the most pervasive change if you started today?