3 minute read
NO GOING BACK
By Jessica Tomasin, founder of Connect Beyond Festival, co-founder of Asheville Music Professionals, owner of Jet Up Productions, studio manager of Echo Mountain Recording Studio
As the world begins to open again, it presents a great opportunity to create new routines. 2020 was challenging in many ways, but I think one of the positive things to come from it, for me, was the chance to take a step back and evaluate how I was living my life. As I was trying to navigate dealing with the unknowns of the pandemic, I started to question all my past decisions that led to me this moment. I was hard on myself, wishing I was in a better position, had saved more money, and made better decisions in the past.
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After a brief pity party, I knew it was time to move on and focus on the present. I started by making myself a priority. Pre-pandemic, there never seemed to be enough hours in the day to get everything done that I needed to do, and changes to my a full glass of water with doing anything for myself was the first thing to go if I couldn’t fit it all in. I decided to make the most of the situation, using this as an opportunity to take better care of myself. As time went on, I realized that there was no going back to “normal” — and that this didn’t need to be a bad thing.
I realized that prioritizing myself isn’t a luxury; it is a necessity. When we invest in ourselves, it improves our work, our interpersonal relationships, and our overall wellbeing. Personally, it’s been helpful to make small, incremental changes to my daily routine to help my mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Each day I look for ways to improve my life — doing one to five little things for myself. Keeping this number small not only keeps it manageable, it also helps me to remember to celebrate the small victories.
In hopes that it might be helpful to someone else, here are some examples of the ways that I’ve been able to practice self-care:
Stretch. Have you ever noticed that dogs stretch every time they get up? They take their time, usually stretching one leg long in front and the opposite leg out in the back. You too can do this. Make a point to do a quick stretch every time you get up from a chair or the bed. Interlace your fingers behind your back and open your chest as you walk to the bathroom. Get up in the morning and pull your legs into your chest while still in bed, then stretch one leg long, then the other.
Hydrate. Do you drink coffee or tea in the morning? While waiting for either to brew, drink a full glass of water with a bit of lemon juice. This can be warm or cold — but starting the day with water and lemon is good for many things, including your digestion, skin, and immune system. For hydration all day long, make a habit out of taking a refillable water bottle with you, and make a point to finish before you get to your next destination.
Ask yourself if it’s a “hell yeah.” Each time you’re approached with a new opportunity — whether it’s a get-together with friends or a new project — ask yourself: “Is this a hell yes?” In choosing to say “yes” to one opportunity, you may be saying “no” to others, so make sure you’re not saying “no” to making yourself a priority.
End with gratitude. Taking the time to write two sentences at the end of each day is a great way to focus on all that went well. Some days it may be hard to find the good. I’ve definitely had a few days lately where I just wrote, “I’m grateful for my dogs.” But even that helps me to remember that there is love everywhere.
As one of my good friends often says: “We’re all going to be busy for the rest of our lives. The question is: Busy doing what?” Time is the one thing we cannot get back. Our schedules and calendars are filling up and, for some, are already full. Are you on your to-do list? If not, I hope you take a moment and put yourself right at the top.
