Life Lessons from a Flight Attendant
If you’ve ever flown on a plane you’re familiar with the standard process before the plane takes off. The flight attendant was talking us through our pre-flight safety demonstration and as usual, I listened with little enthusiasm to the same litany of “exits here, here and here…” as well as the instructions for putting on oxygen masks in case of an emergency… “If you are traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person.” It wasn’t until much later that I realized there was a deeper message hiding in these words for me.
Life can be hectic most days and downright challenging others. Trying to keep up with the daily schedules of work, kids, pets, housework, running to and from kid’s events, and a list of other responsibilities can leave us with little to no time dedicated to ourselves. As wife, mother, boss or worker, we’re accustomed to putting ourselves last on the list.
As a single mom raising three children, there was never enough time while the kids were growing up. I usually had to have two of them at events in the opposite direction at the same time or multiple homework meltdowns for things I never even studied in school! Now as a grandmother and business owner I sometimes feel like I have even less time. In our daily lives, just like when applying an oxygen mask on a plane, there are times we need to think of ourselves first. Keeping ourselves energized and healthy is critical if we are going to be able to do all the other things we have on our lists! Now this doesn’t mean ignoring our family and job, it means making time for ourselves so we are able to be there physically and emotionally strong for whatever life throws our way.
Here are a few things you can do to get back to a stronger, re-energized you.
- Take a long, hot bath or shower to relax your tired muscles and joints.
- Replace strenuous exercise with something like yoga, a day or two a week. Combine exercise and relaxation techniques to achieve both physical and emotional balance.
- Get outside and spend some time in nature. Feel the ground under your feet and focus on the sights and sounds around you. Enjoying your environment can give you time to replenish your energy. Talking walks with family or a close friend can give you time away from technology to reconnect.
- Find ways to express yourself creatively. It could be a night painting at a local winery, singing karaoke or learning how to belly dance.It’s hard to stress and over-think things when you’re immersed in something fun and expressive!
- Focus on your successes! Make a note of all the things you’ve done well, and give yourself permission to be proud of what you have accomplished instead of dissatisfied with what you haven’t done. Tomorrow is another opportunity to add to those accomplishments!
- Make that bucket list! Replace your regrets with dreams. When you start thinking about what you should have done, stop; change your focus to what you plan to do now. It’s much more empowering and will give you the confidence to take on the next thing on your list!
- Set aside a day just for you. It may seem like a monumental task to carve out a whole day for you, but it’s worth it. Work with family or friends to watch the kids, maybe even set up a trade with another mom who is also in need of some time for herself and trade babysitting for a day. Find something you want to do that will rejuvenate you, boost your confidence and leave you feeling great about yourself. Whether that means participating in a triathlon, going to the spa, or being made to feel like a princess for a day getting your hair and makeup done and your photo taken, you deserve it!
So make sure you are taking some time for yourself as we get ready for the crazy holiday season. Stay healthy, be happy, and share lots of love!
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