| Maybe you can't visit a spa right now because of | | | | what's right for you. This has been a topic of |
| time, money, or practicality reason (like who will take | | | | discussion in our Professional Creative Solutions |
| care of the kids). This doesn't mean you have to | | | | Certification Training Program. It is also something |
| trudge on through your days feeling frazzled. Many | | | | that MANY people struggle with. I had a family I |
| of my clients say that that coming to see me is like | | | | worked with who really understood putting their |
| a mini-spa, a time that they can renew and replenish | | | | needs first. After 9:00 pm they would say good night |
| themselves. So if you can't make it in to see me | | | | to their children and go into their bedroom and have |
| here are some things you can do to take care of the | | | | adult ALONE time. Their children were expected to |
| most important person in your life- YOU! | | | | have what they needed done (such as homework) |
| 1. Claim some alone time | | | | and the parents set a clear boundary that their |
| If you are putting other people's needs ahead of | | | | needs were important. Unless it was an emergency, |
| your own or you are so stressed out from work or | | | | the children would have to wait until the next day to |
| projects, give yourself a break. I know that when | | | | ask for what they needed. Imagine your children |
| you are running and doing there is a fear if you stop | | | | learning the value of your needs and knowing that it |
| you may become overwhelmed and will loose all | | | | was ok for them to set boundaries too! |
| momentum. Also, many people feel they just can't | | | | 3. Do something (or nothing) to replenish yourself |
| make the time, there's just too much on their plate. | | | | What do you need to replenish yourself? It may |
| That is just not true, and I'll tell you why. If your | | | | mean time alone by the water, a walk in the park, |
| child(or parent or spouse) needed immediate critical | | | | time with your friends and family to be heard and |
| care you would drop what you are doing and get | | | | understood, alone time with your journal or art |
| them the help they needed ASAP. What about your | | | | materials, or just a plain old nap. Ask yourself what it |
| critical care needs? You may be thinking, "it's not | | | | is you need and respect what you are telling yourself. |
| physical or it's not an emergency". Well if left uncared | | | | An art activity to help you renew: |
| for your mental well-being may become an | | | | Create a circle and in that circle use pictures you cut |
| emergency or it may start to show up in physical | | | | from magazines and/or markers and chalks and |
| ways, such as the flu, because your immune system | | | | create a Comfort Circle. Fill it with images and words |
| is worn out. Which leads me to the second thing... | | | | that renew you and refresh you. Take the time to |
| 2. Put your needs first | | | | enjoy the process as you fill the space with things |
| It is not selfish and it is not impossible! When you set | | | | that nourish you! If you'd like to share your artwork |
| boundaries about what is right for you, you are not | | | | send us an email, we'd love to hear what replenishes |
| negating what others want, you are just affirming | | | | and comforts you. |