The short version is to set an alarm to call it quits at the end of each day and be DONE. No matter what! You did enough. You are enough! And, here's the whole story...

Depending on the circumstances, self care can mean so many different things. When my mom was going through heart surgery last summer, brushing my teeth felt like a day at the spa. 

The absolute best self care advice to kick me off on this 15 year journey to become a self care specialist was from my mentor Dori West. I was just entering into my National Board Teaching Certification journey as a 3rd year teacher. The numbers were against me because only 10% of 3rd year teachers pass on the first try. National boards was more rigorous than getting my Master's Degree and on top of that I was teaching full time. 

The advice Dori gave our cohort was that no matter what amount of work was finished or still needed to be finished for the day, at 8PM she poured a glass of wine and was done for the night. 

I immediately began to reap the rewards with this first step simple step of shoving aside space for time to relax. It gave me the evidence I needed to commit to even more intentional self care practices. I was one of the few 10% who passed my National Board Certification on the first try and I know it's because I kept my mind and body fresh and resilient. I came away with not only amazing new teaching skills but the self care strategies to keep me creative, productive, and kind. 

I've added many layers of self care strategies to my life in the 15 years since then and this first step is still the place I recommend my clients begin with. A non-negotiable "Done" time each day is a powerful commitment to living my best life.

Here's what I do. I set an alarm that goes off at 8PM each night. My alarm is set to the song Havana by Camila Cabello because I like to have a little dance party celebration when I'm done for the day and it's time to kick up my feet. It puts me in a joyful mindset for quality evening closure to the day. You may want something more sleepy or calming but anything that is pleasant to you will do. 

 So I have 2 questions for you...

I make sure to turn off the vibration so the buzzing sound associated with panic and start of other alarms does not enter this sacred space. The music starts and I have a little dance party because, I've done enough! Tomorrow will be a fresh new day and whatever I accomplished or didn't accomplish today is enough and is worthy of celebration.

Let's do this,