Since my word of the year is “vitality,” every Sunday I hope to share something with you all that makes me feel vital, sparkly, happy, and alive from different aspects of my life.  It isn’t about having a perfect life. It is about growing in wholeness and authenticity and living in joy, no matter what crosses our paths.

During these tumultuous political times, I have felt lately that my energy is dissipating in directions far and wide from my home and my family.   In order to balance this,  I have needed a serious dose of self-care.

I think everyone’s self-care list may look a little different since different things nurture different people.  However, I made myself a list and am happy to share it with you in hope that you will create your own list of things that are nurturing to you!

My weekly list includes:

• Exercise (which is a daily task, but I strive toward a weekly goal)
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Walking/Hiking
• Going out for tea with friends without children
• Spending time with my husband alone
• Doing things I enjoy including drawing and painting, looking at art

My daily lists include:

• Sitting with a good cup of tea
• Writing
• Praying, reading Scripture
• Being in nature
• Spending fun time with my family members – playing games, reading together, laughing
• Reading  fiction (not just things around development or Waldorf Education!)
• Getting support when I need it from my spouse and from friends
• If I have screen time for myself – to watch things that are funny and light-hearted
• Getting enough sleep and rest

The other things that  I have done that have helped enormously is to pare down my personal Facebook page to limit political conversations; to pick the three things that I feel are most urgently politically for our family’s values and focus on those issues, and to limit computer time in general.

It is hard to be a sensitive person in these times, and self-care makes all the difference in the world.  I would love to hear what your favorite self-care tricks are.

Blessings and love, and may you have a wonderful week ahead,
Carrie