I used to be the first one out the door when someone had a party. However, today I realized that hat didn't fit anymore. My family left me home alone (woo hoo, did they hear the door slam on the way out?) tonight as they went to a gathering at a friend/old neighbor's house. I made the conscious choice not to go. I thought about it all day and then realized that the reason I was getting into a bad mood was because I had too much on my plate today and most days. It is time to slim down my calendar and take better care of myself. I could have made the choice to go, but this week for some reason, I have been feeling an overwhelming energetic pull on me. I have been steering away from conversations that pull me down such as politics, world and American events. People look at me like I have three heads when I choose not to partake in these discussions. My reason is, if I am not willing to step up and do something big about these topics, it's best to put my energies into something that will move myself forward.
Don't get me wrong. I love the folks that would have been at this particular party, I just don't love the mood I am in right now. It's best for me to stay home, continue on the path I am on, and use my time for my creative efforts. If I were to have said yes to tonight, I would have ended up being in a far worse mood because I didn't stop to rest and do self-care when I knew that my body really needed it. It's time to say yes, just to myself for today. You know what? That's perfectly okay!
I used to be that person that thought you had to say yes to everything. Believe you me, I was a pro. If I didn't go, so and so would be upset with me. If I didn't participate, they may never ask me again. I finally realized that this was pretty egotistical of me because you know what, they are all right with this. They don't pay that much attention to whether or not I come to a party or not. What I mean is, they are not keeping score because I still get invitations. I also think that on some level, there are probably ten other people who upon hearing that I stayed home, secretly wished they were doing exactly what I was doing. That's okay. A Saturday night spent in your jammies reading a book, writing a blog or watching a show is awesome.
It's so, so important these days to do self-care. If we run ourselves ragged, what good are we to others?? Not very much. So use this as a hall pass on your next invitation that starts at 5:30 and you realize at 5:20 that you didn't even have the energy yet to get up and take a shower! That was my hint that it was okay to stay home!
Until My Next Adventure,
P.A. Walker
Are you ready to say yes to your soul by shifting your perspective to create something extraordinary? I invite you to contact me via email at pwalker2650@gmail.com to discuss how I can help you to make your next chapter better than your last.
Please also follow me on my Facebook Page: The Second Half or via Twitter (Patricia A. Walker@50foraYear).
