YES I WILL: 21 Days of Self Care

Some say it takes 21 days to establish a habit, and then 66 days to make it a strong habit. Look it up and you will find many studies about it. What's interesting is that you will find research that indicates the 21 day path to a habit is a myth, but you will also find research that supports the claim. What I know as true: My mind is a powerful organ, and regardless of what research says, I can make a decision and stick with it. I mean, I did quit drinking Diet Coke awhile ago and even when put in right in front of me I push that pop away every time.

There are seven pillars of self care that I have learned over the years. The Pillars include:

Knowledge
Mental Health
Physical Activity
Healthy Eating
Risk aversion
Good Hygiene
Rational use of Products

Seven pillars has always been WAY too much for my brain, and I prefer to categorize and put these pillars into broader pillars for myself. I like to focus on:

Mental Wellbeing
Physical Wellbeing
Spiritual Wellbeing

This 3 pillar approach was taught to me by a wonderful supporter several years ago, when I asked her to break down the seven pillars. They stuck with me, especially because I think the 7 pillars, align nicely with the 3 pillars, and can even be the cobblestones that build the 3 pillars.

Last week I found myself back on the blog, and I'm so glad I found my way back here again. The blog was an important piece of my athletic journey in the past, and will be a staple as I regain my footing for the next athletic journey of my life.

Early, when COVID-19 started sweeping across the world, the memes were abundant, as they related to quarantine. One that sticks in my brain, that I can no longer find, a woman standing in front of a refrigerator with a caption that says fat, fit, or drunk - how will you emerge from quarantine? I first want to acknowledge the sensitivity that swept across the web related to these memes. If you found these memes globally offensive in nature, I support your feelings, and would love you to share your thoughts with me, as an ever learning individual. I found some of the memes a bit over the top, and even offensive, but the one I'm referencing put three words in front of me, and really spoke to the power of choosing how I want to emerge from this pandemic.

8 months into the pandemic, I can tell you which path I chose, and it wasn't fit or drunk. I'm an avid non-drinker, an avid over eater, and an avid fitness movie binger. Ask me about ANY of the various documentaries about people becoming fit, and I probably watched it, or have it on my watch list. I dedicated myself to learning about other people's athletic pursuits, gaining the weight many of them lost, and creating the perfect dent on my couch that would properly cradle my body. What I forgot about was the pain that would come with weight gain, limited movement, and watching someone else live your past goals across the TV screen.

Let me be very clear, while I desire a life of athleticism, and fitness, I think every person chooses the path that is best for them, and would be glad to be on your sideline supporting you.

I just finished watching 'Heart: Flatline to Finish line' and it reminded me of the value of the necessity of self care, and having goals. What I have learned over the past couple of year is what worked for me in the past, is not working for me right now. I used to make big, grandiose goals, and then achieve them... Right now, I get as far as writing the goal, and then...

A defining moment for me during this quarantine, was when my sister and I decided we would do a beginner adventure race together (by the way, we made this decision while watching 'The World's Toughest Race' during this quarantine); she looked over at me and said, I'll do it, but you better train for this. When I first started racing, I had a history of not training and then struggling through the event, and then I realized training is what made it fun. I trained for everything!!!! However the most recent event I did with this sister, I trained, but if I'm being honest with myself, it wasn't my best work. It was a bike ride in Mississippi and my wheels fell off... I didn't train enough, and it showed. That experience wasn't my best work, and I don't want that to be my defining athletic moment.

So, where the hell do I start, again? Self Care...

21 days of self care begin today. I have a task for each day, for the next 21 days, ranging from exploring new yoga poses, cancelling unused subscriptions, cooking meals, returning to my gratitude Friday exercise, and simply being present. Each task will be completed intentionally, and documented so I can properly celebrate intentional focus on myself. AND, it just so happens that I bought a ticket for a Michael Franti virtual concert on November 21, 2020, and that is going to be an opportunity for me to dance around my living room while celebrating my accomplishment. Michael Franti speaks to my soul (yes super dramatic statement for which I make no apologies), and spending some time with his music and energy will be the perfect way to propel from 21 days of self care, into a lifetime of self care! YES I WILL!!!!!