It would be best if you took care of yourself before you could take care of someone else. Remember it is OK to take a break! Doing so can ensure you are in a good headspace to pour into someone else’s life. 

This topic has been on my mind for some weeks now. While having a girl chat with a best friend of mine, we discussed the importance of taking care of ourselves to be well for others: MORE SELF CARE.

At one point, I felt myself getting burned out and needed to refill. I enjoy writing, developing content, interviewing, and anything that inspires others to follow their dreams, so I had to fill up my cup. Giving my best self to my readers and my team is critical. My work requires me to interact with people every day/all day; I needed to be sure that I was well enough to lead my team with a clear mind and write with a sound mind, so I took a few weeks off work and writing.

I took three weeks off from posting on “I Journi Blog,” and I took two vacation weeks off from my full-time job, all within two months of each other. Believe it or not, I did not leave the country during those vacation weeks or travel too far away from the east coast. This time around was all about taking care of my health mentally, physically, and emotionally.

A few methods that helped me to refill my cup:

1. I changed up my eating habits!  During my entire rejuvenating stage, I forced myself to grocery shop and meal prep more. I substituted my unhealthy snacks with more fruits and vegetables. During this transition, it felt good to eat healthier and be ready for the day with breakfast, lunch, and dinner already prepared and planned out for the day. I did this because, within the past year, I began eating more fast food, especially during my lunch break and breakfast.
2. I jumped back into running! I slowly eased back into running 3 miles three days out of the week. North Carolina has several unbelievable nature parks and trails to take advantage of. Running became my stress reliever when I was in high school, and it continues to be. It’s almost like a fast adrenaline rush! Now and then, I slack but, I force myself to keep going. If I don’t feel like running, I go for a walk. You have to keep propelling because a clear mind gives you a different point of view than a crowded and cloudy mind.
3. Visit home more. I realized I enjoy being home in South Carolina for the beach, family, and friends. When visiting South Carolina, I am surrounded by several individuals who keep me motivated and push me towards my life aspirations. I enjoy hanging out with my day one friends and spending time with my nieces, nephews, and little cousins; they are all growing up so fast, and I’m trying not to miss too much.
4. Get More Sleep! During my time off from my full-time job, I slept more and didn’t set an alarm clock. For someone who works in the corporate world, my workday is scheduled and planned for me. During my time off, I enjoyed not waking up to an alarm clock. Without an alarm set, my body naturally wakes up between 8 am and 9 am. Plus, more hours of sleep tends to help me function better during the day! Lack of sleep tends to affect one’s mood and harm the body!

Sometimes things can become stressful and overwhelming when we are constantly on the go with no breaks. For someone who is leading, inspiring, and developing others, self-care is essential. Sometimes those who are strong for others do not like to bestow any signs of weakness; however, holding things in can be overwhelming and eventually cause a breakdown. To avoid the adverse effects of stress, it is always best to find and make time for yourself.