Ah, February… It’s a great time for love… I know, I know… it’s a Hallmark holiday. But boy, is it nice to make everyone around us feel extra loved. It’s easy to see we all want it by the Galentine and other events that have popped up. What a great way to celebrate friendship and an even better excuse to put down the to-do list and spend time together.
That has been one of the most important parts of my journey these days. Slowing down and appreciating the people around me and all the world has to offer. It’s about combining me time, us time, work time, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and good old-fashioned fun. And at the heart of it all? Self-love. Without it, everything else falls out of balance.
The word that comes to mind is Homeostasis. It’s balance… when everything is in balance, we cruise along, and blessings just keep coming. Our body is the most amazing machine, but it only works at full capacity when it is in balance/homeostasis! And that includes nourishing the soul, setting boundaries, and showing yourself the love you so easily give to others.
For me, that looks like reading a couple of great books, traveling a bit, trying some new workout classes, and hunkering down in the comfort and warmth of my home with family and friends dropping by for easy meals and great conversation. It’s also about testing recipes. Right now, I am simmering an easy, thick, and creamy 20-minute lentil soup filled with the colors of the rainbow and none of the “bad†stuff.
A recipe doesn’t turn out well if there is too much of one ingredient and not enough of another. The same is true for our body and minds. If you say YES to every invitation, you lose the time you need to recharge. If you constantly give to others without giving to yourself, you end up depleted. So plan out your homeostasis every day and see how it feels as we roll into the colder weather. When zoning out on the couch eating junk food in front of the TV seems like a great thing to do, think about balance. Maybe try snowshoeing. Take a cooking class. Try a new workout. Read a great book. Get a massage. Or take yourself to a movie. Whatever you do, preparation is everything.
Remember: life is a gift. And so are you. Live it, love it, and love yourself.
