guilt ~ the fact or state of having done wrong or committed an offence; remorse or self-reproach caused by feeling that one is responsible for a wrong or offence; sin or crime

There are things that I do.

Unintentionally or deliberately to make my life easier, happier, less monotonous, simpler, more exciting or maybe just because I want to.

Things like…

💋 snuggling on the sofa with my pets 💋 eating dessert before dinner 💋 watching back to back episodes of my favourite series 💋 buying expensive underwear that I save for special occasions 💋 walking on the grass next to the ‘Do Not Walk On The Grass’ sign  💋 only ironing when I am literally down to my last tshirt 💋 starting a new book before I’ve finished the current one 💋 buying a lipstick in exactly the same shade as one I already own 💋 being seduced by a pretty cocktail 💋 going to bed at 8pm 💋 having recipe books on my shelf that I’ve NEVER cooked from 💋 hiding the last cookie so I can eat it later 💋 making excuses to not go out 💋 only doing half a workout 💋

Inevitably, there are times after the event when I feel guilty.

Guilty.

As in, I committed a crime or offence and feel remorseful. Not quite?

Guilty.

Of putting my needs first and listening to what my body needs. Is that so awful?

Guilty.

It sounds so negative. So final. So wrong.

So why do we feel guilty?

Probably because we think of the million things we could, should or are supposed to be doing.

Maybe because we’re constantly reminded of how time is money and how every day is a gift and feel the pressure of making every minute count?

Perhaps it’s because we rarely see others self indulging in a little bit of what they fancy?

But what if every now and then we made our lives a little easier, had some fun, let ourselves off the hook, went with the flow?

As long as no one got angry, hurt or arrested.

I also doubt the earth would stop spinning.

What if we gave ourselves some TLC and smiled? What if we indulged in our passions and set our souls alight? What if you did something a little out of the ordinary and and felt envigorated? What if you did something silly and laughed like a child?

Guilt free.

What would that look like?

I wonder.

 

We all dread the ‘C’ word!

Is your life calm and quiet; with everything working in harmony? Do you have the time to talk to others, get all your jobs done and still have time to do something nice for yourself?

Right now you’re probably wondering if this is a fairy tale?

Most of us, at one time or another have taken our eyes off the ball, lost focus on our priorities or simply let our lives run us, instead of taking control.

We unintentionally allow our lives to become full of stuff we feel we have to do rather than stuff we choose to do.

You know how it is; busy at work, demands from home, a never ending to-do list, going from one job to the next, multitasking, people to see, bills to pay.

You know the feeling of the circus act who’s keeping all the plates spinning?

With little time to devote to yourself to recharge and the demands piling up, eventually it becomes difficult to keep all the plates spinning at one time and they will inevitably come crashing down.

And life becomes full of ‘C’ words: Crazy. CHAOTIC. C O M P L I C A T E D!

Your mind, body and soul can only take so much.

Something has to change.

It is so important to take time for yourself but how many of us place self care way down on the to-do list?

Let’s start by simplifying a few areas of your life.

Your health.

Ensuring you are getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, eating foods that nourish your body and regular exercise is the starting point to being in optimum health. It doesn’t have to be complicated – a short walk every evening, a chicken salad every lunchtime prepared the evening before, a beautiful new water bottle to remind you to drink plenty.

Good habits and regular routines make our lives easier because we won’t waste valuable headspace making decisions. This will enable you to cope better when things inevitably get crazy!

Learn how to say no.

Obviously I’m talking about where you can…but think about it, do you really have to do everything, every day, all of the time?

Allow yourself regular breaks from the daily grind. Do you want to sit in the staff room with all the gossips at lunch time or would you benefit from a walk and time away from your desk? Do you need to hang out with that group of friends who bring you down or talk about work all night? Or would your time be better spent doing something creative or simply not thinking about work outside of work hours?

De-clutter.

Your home. Your wardrobe. Your work space. Your mind.

Having less stuff makes it easier to keep tidy, encourages gratitude and helps you focus on what’s important in your life. Try creating a capsule wardrobe this Autumn or how about challenging yourself to give one item away every time you buy a new item? Clear your desk every evening, writing a to-do list before you leave so you know you are ready for tomorrow and you can leave work, at work. Allow yourself time to sit quietly and assess what’s going on in your mind. It may help you become an expert on you and what you need in your life.

Creating space – actual and metaphorical can help you think clearer, make better decisions and feel calmer.

Can you create pockets of time just for you?

Whether it’s time to read, go for a walk, bake, do something creative or simply a long hot bath listening to your favourite tunes.

Do something just for you.

This way of thinking tells your body and others around you that you are important. That you value time alone to recharge your energy and spend time doing things you love.

Do one thing every day that makes your soul sing.

You have to keep an eye on your life, or it will become complicated, busy and cluttered. There will always be one more thing to do.

Plan time out just for yourself – it’s the only way it will happen.

Work hard at simplifying your life.

Think of one thing you can do today to make your life a tiny bit less complicated.