Sometimes I don’t even know how I make it to Friday; things seem so unsettled and chaotic. Daily I strive to work hard at my job and then pour what I have left into my family. I get tired and that is OK!
This past Friday after dropping my middle kiddo off at in-person school, I decided to indulge and drive through Starbucks. I got hot chocolate for my remaining two kids and a nice Carmel latte for myself. It was a splurge, but it cheered me up. So, in writing this post I thought I would share four ways to keep your spirits up as you navigate all that life is throwing your way:
- Do something nice for yourself. Listen to a podcast you love, light a candle, take a longer shower, flip on the radio, drink your favorite beverage, just work it into your day. Be conscious about your time and where it can really help lift your spirits.
- Stand up, move around, take a walk, and rock that smile.
- Do your hair, wear something that makes you feel good. Even if it’s just jeans and your favorite, inspirational sweatshirt. I like to always wear earnings, even when my hair is a mess.
- Sit and eat, don’t multitask! Tackle a regular bedtime for yourself and wake up early to read your daily devotional.
Living life with a constant level of stress and overwhelm isn’t the life God has called us to. God’s word says he has better for us. I’m sure you would agree, when we operate constantly worn out, without taking a little time to ourselves, we can grow weary and irritable. Even Jesus rested and advised others to rest after a busy time and to prepare for future events.
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” – Mark 6:30-32
I implore you to go outside your comfort zone and focus some level of effort on tending to your mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Think about this, while we are called to be God’s hands and feet on this earth, he also wants us to have a pattern of work and rest. Remember this as your days get busy and you start to feel stretched thin.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
