self-care

Stepping Away to Step Up: Why Renewal is Your Secret Weapon

/ Susan Hendrich / 1 Comment

Recharge and Refresh to Enhance Your Impact.

Life can be a whirlwind sometimes. Work deadlines loom, errands pile up, and suddenly it feels like you haven’t taken a real breath in days, weeks, even months. It’s during these times that I find myself craving renewal. Take a deep breath while you think about that word…renewal.

Now, renewal might not sound like the most exciting thing on the to-do list, but hear me out. It’s not about sitting in a bubble bath for thirty minutes (although that has its merits). It’s about consciously choosing to step away from the hamster wheel, even if it’s just for a little while, to come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything.

Think about it. Have you ever tried to write a creative piece when your brain feels like mush? Or tried to have a productive conversation when you’re running on fumes? It rarely ends well. We need time to recharge, refocus, and reconnect with ourselves in order to truly thrive.

Here’s the thing, renewal doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It can be as simple as:

  • Taking a walk in nature: Immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the outdoors can be incredibly calming and restorative.
  • Putting your phone down and reading a book: Escaping into a good story can help you de-stress and gain new perspectives.
  • Trying a new recipe: Engaging in a creative activity can spark joy and get your creative juices flowing again.
  • Spending time with loved ones: Connecting with those closest to you provides a sense of belonging and support.

Even small changes to your routine can have a big impact. Instead of scrolling through social media before bed, try some light stretching or reading. Replace your usual commute with a scenic bike ride.

The key is to find what works for you and make it a priority. Remember, renewal isn’t selfish, it’s essential. It’s the key to maintaining your energy, creativity, and overall well-being. So next time you’re feeling burnt out, don’t push yourself further. Step away, recharge, and come back stronger than ever.

I’m heading outside now to breathe in the crisp February air and renew my focus for the week ahead. How will you RENEW?

Susan

p.s. Looking for a book to guide your journey? Check out: Renewal: How Nature Awakens Our Creativity, Compassion, and Joy by Andrés R Edwards

It’s your thing

/ Susan Hendrich / Leave a comment

Place your own oxygen mask on first…

Here’s a simple question for you: “How much of your day do you spend doing what is best for you, as opposed to doing what other people want you to do or think you should do?” Put another way, “How closely do you follow your inner voice?”

If your answer is anything like, “Not enough,” then read on.

It’s amazing how conditioned we can become to living our lives according to the plans, ideas, expectations and unwritten rules of others. Many of these externally-established messages are well-intended, positive and helpful. But sometimes the script that others would have us follow in life isn’t exactly what’s best for us. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that as parents, leaders, coaches or caretakers we should abandon the needs of those for whom we are responsible. In these roles, we’re obliged to consider and focus on the well-being of others. But there simply must be room in each dayto tune in to our own needs. Our own voices.

We’ve all heard the familiar mantra of the airline flight attendants during their pre-flight instructions, “…make sure to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before attempting to help someone else put on theirs.”  If you’re traveling with a child or elderly person, you naturally may want to ensure their safety first, before helping yourself. But the idea is that if you ignore your own need for oxygen, you may be unable to help your loved one and, if that happens, you may put both yourself and your loved one in danger of serious injury or worse.  The moral of this message is, “If you don’t take care of yourself first, you’ll be unable to care for your loved ones in their time of need.”

Your turn

_______________________

So, what is one thing you could focus on for yourself that would build up your own “oxygen” and allow you to better attend to the needs of others?

Thanks to my classmate, Valarie Irons-Poppiti for inspring me with her Haters photo post.