I recently finished a 10-day retreat. The first 5 days were spent writing for an hour or two each day. The last 5 days were attending a “silent” retreat on Zoom where we meditated throughout the day. We unplugged from social media, conversation, music, reading… anything that would cause distraction from silence and rest. It was a time of discipline and incredibly refreshing.
The result was that, my nervous system recalibrated. The last 4 years have been one trauma after another, which impacted my body significantly. Following that time of restoration, I found myself hungering for naps! I kept thinking, who has TIME for naps? I am too busy! Yet my body was making it clear I had to change my thinking and some of my habits. As I have shared this experience with my friends and clients I am more aware of how many of us are conditioned to override what our body is hungering for. Specifically we squelch the notion that we are in need of unplugging!
As entrepreneurial women, we are often juggling countless responsibilities, pushing ourselves to the limit, and striving to achieve our dreams. In the midst of our busy lives, it’s easy to forget the importance of listening to and being kind to ourselves. This month, I’m leading a call to embark on a 30-day journey of self-care and rejuvenation with our Kindness Challenge.
We will divide up the 30 days into 3 sections of 10-days each. I invite you to focus on three areas of self-kindness. Ten days specifically for journaling, taking a nap and meditation or prayer. These simple yet powerful practices can help us reconnect with ourselves, reduce stress, and enhance our overall well-being.
Kindness Challenge Days 1-10: Journaling
Start your day with a several minutes of reflection. Writing down your thoughts, goals, and feelings can be incredibly therapeutic. Journaling helps you gain insight and clarity, it can help you process your emotions. I call it a “brain dump”, where you put down on paper what you need to let go of. Leaving those thoughts on the paper is the best place to keep them.
Why It’s Beneficial:
- Mental Clarity: Writing helps organize your thoughts and clear your mind.
- Emotional Release: It provides an outlet for expressing feelings and reducing stress.
- Self-Reflection: Journaling encourages self-awareness and personal growth.
Tip: Keep your journal by your bedside or in a place where you can easily access it in the morning. Write without judgment and let your thoughts flow naturally.
Kindness Challenge Days 11-20: Taking a Nap
In the hustle and bustle of being a business woman, rest is often undervalued. Taking a short nap during the day can do wonders for your energy level, mindset and productivity. Napping isn’t just for kids; it’s a powerful way to rejuvenate your mind and body. My naps are scheduled into my calendar, I have marked time off each day ranging from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the heft of my week. Taking a nap each day brings me great joy!
Why It’s Beneficial:
- Boosts Productivity: A short nap can improve alertness and performance.
- Enhances Memory: Napping helps consolidate memories and improves learning.
- Reduces Stress: It gives your body and mind a break, lowering stress levels.
Tip: Find a quiet, comfortable place to lie down. A sleep mask or earplugs can improve the quality of your rest by blocking out distractions. Set an alarm so you can nap without worrying about oversleeping.
Kindness Challenge Days 21-30: Meditation/Prayer
Whether you prefer meditation or prayer, taking time to connect with your inner self or a higher power can bring peace and perspective (one of my favorite words). Spend a few minutes each day in silence, focusing on your breath, your body, expressing gratitude and seeking guidance.
Why It’s Beneficial:
- Calms the Mind: Meditation and prayer help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm and well-being.
- Enhances Self-Awareness: These practices encourage mindfulness and self-reflection.
- Improves Focus: Regular meditation can increase concentration and mental clarity.
Tip: Create a calming environment with soft lighting, soothing music or candle. Use a guided meditation app or book of common prayers can support consistency.
Say YES! To yourself!
Self-kindness isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Especially if you want to make an impact. By taking time to nurture your mind, body, and spirit, you can become more resilient, creative, and a fulfilled business woman.
Give yourself permission and make a commitment to round out your summer with tending to yourself, not just everybody else! September brings new schedules, new goals and a new season. Finish summer strong so you can have sustainable strength for what is important to you! So that you can focus on what only YOU can do.
For support and a sense of community, join the Circle of Trust, our FB page to inspire one another in this self-kindness experiment. Share your experience on the Circle of Trust Page and invite a friend to spread well-being and self-kindness amongst your circle of influence. Accountability will make this experience even more rewarding!
Open yourself up to possibilities and embark on this month with a focus on being kind to yourself! Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat!