As the last year comes to a close and a new one begins, you might just be making resolutions for 2019. Some folks simply ignore this opportunity, while others focus intensely on what they hope to achieve in the coming year. If you belong to the making-resolutions group, I have a simple suggestion for you that might yield big benefits. Even if you fall into the no-resolutions category, it might improve your year too.
My recommendation is to tend to your own self-care. You simply cannot go wrong here; any action in this realm will lead to a happier year ahead—especially if you are traveling through any kind of life transition. A useful aid to developing your self-care resolutions is Midlife Magic The 7 Day Self-Care Plan to Boost Your Energy and Make You Smile. As you probably know, I recently published this book: )
The other day, I read that people write about advice they need to take for themselves. At first I was a bit taken aback by this comment, but the corners of my mouth turned up, and then I chuckled out loud when I realized the truth of this statement—especially when I called to mind Midlife Magic includes vignettes of my own midlife, sabbatical journey around the world where I bump into self-care skills I desperately needed. I embarked on this voyage after years of caring for my kids. Once they headed off to college, I began to focus on my own needs.
It took me decades to understand the importance of self care—particularly during periods of life transition. The seven self-care skills outlined in the book emerged from my years of experience as Dean of Continuing Education at Wellesley College advising return-to-college women, and in my current role as a midlife coach for women—along with some extensive reading about midlife. These seven skills are:
Day 1: Self Compassion
Day 2: Happy Body
Day 3: Supportive Connections
Day 4: Optimal Organization
Day 5: Nurturing Environment
Day 6: Time on Your Terms
Day 7: Completion/Celebration
On each day, you find me in a different part of the world running into the need for one of these skills. Then you learn how to develop this skill for yourself with examples from some of my former students and clients. Finally, you pick one of many possible actions steps to develop this skill for yourself.
A few months ago I moved to a new state and into a much smaller living space, so it’s a perfect time to take my own advice. My resolution energy for 2019 will be targeted on maintaining and enhancing these seven self-care skills for the year ahead.
What about you? What specific resolutions have you made to take better care of yourself this year? Love to hear about them!
Happy New Year—may your 2019 be filled with joy and accomplishment!
Bonnie
Every women who travels through the midlife passage needs a little inspiration along the way. When you sign up for the Midlife Discovery newsletter in the box to the right, each month you’ll receive a motivating message from me in your email inbox.
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