Absolute Yes and No Lists (Self Care for the New Year)
My teacher Sara Avant Stover is a shining example of how to be a productive, active member of the community, while maintaining the kind of spiritual and self care practices that allow for a meaningful life, guided from within. She has been an amazing role model for me in “self-acceptance, spiritual depth, worldly accomplishment, balanced family and social lives, creativity, intelligence, and, most importantly, unconditional happiness.”
In the spirit of self care for the new year, I thought I would share with you one of my favorite practices I have learned from her. It is a practice that I refer back to again and again, especially when I am feeling burned out or preparing for a challenging situation.
Sara suggests creating an Absolute Yes/No List. You start by “brainstorming all the things that make you a stronger, better person and that you absolutely can’t live without.”
Mine is definitely a work in progress, but here is what I have so far:
1. Stay connected to my community:
-talk to and see girlfriends regularly
-stay in touch with Mom, Dad, and my brother Mark
-connect with professional friends and colleagues at least once a month
2. Eat three meals a day, sitting down, without rushing or distractions {I am embarrassed by how hard this one is!}
3. Acupuncture twice a month
4. One restorative yoga pose every day
5. Move my body at least 5 times a week (hike, run, full asana practice, etc)
6. Consume (eat, drink) dark leafy greens every day
7. No screen time after 8pm during the week {I get up super early for work (4am!), so I need to start winding down early!}
8. Attempt 8 hours of sleep each night {it definitely doesn't always happen (again, embarrassed...) but trying for it will be a big improvement}
9. One day each week with no teaching or other work
10. A day of rest after a week of teaching The Science of the Private Lesson Teacher Training
I don’t always do all these things perfectly {obviously}, but when I’m feeling depleted, or going through something challenging, I refer back to this list and renew my commitment to these practices.
With a solid {written down} commitment to simple rituals, self care becomes sustainable. (Tweet it!)
SHARE WITH US: What is on your Absolute Yes/No List?