Keeping up with yourself

​​​​​​​​​Phaytea’s Pulse is participating in the #AtoZChallenge for 2017. The Theme is ‘Awakening of Self’ and ‘Keeping up with yourself’ is our entry for letter K. The theme focuses on character traits that will gear us towards Meaningful Living and will run for 26 days in April except sundays. Please stop by the blog everyday for subsequent posts as we read the 26 letters of the alphabet together. Enjoy!!☺☺

Relax……I’m not about tell you to start a reality show😉😉

Some weeks ago, a friend stopped by my office and mentioned i looked different from when I was not married (Read that as ‘you are not as slim as you used to be’). He added that his wife had also put on a bit of weight.

Sigh!! Is this weight thing over flogged or what?

So i told him that I was resting enough, I had peace of mind and well i was also eating a bit of junk food.😉😉

In his words, he said ‘Try not to get bigger than you are now’ and he went on to speak generally about how women liked to watch their weight as single ladies but once they get married and start having kids, they get so busy, let go and become less conscious of their body size.

Do you think this is true?

Well, I tried to put in an argument about single guys work hard to have six packs and then go on to have a protruding stomach once they get married. We laughed over it.

After he left, I thought about our discussion. It is sometimes difficult to keep up with things you once enjoyed as you get to advance. For example, our body size. 

I guess it is really possible for a new mum to be overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking care of a baby, the house, her career and forget to take care of herself. I do not think it is intentional, it just happens.

Another popular example will be couples who no longer have time to go on dates together probably because of more responsibilities or the kids. That also is not intentional too, the right time probably never comes.

You find out that you do not only have yourself to keep up with but you have to find out ways to strengthen relationship with your partner or even friends.

Oh yeah….and there is this example where once you get married, you suddenly become so busy and never have time to hang out with your single friends…really though?

We are in a fast paced world and things change very quickly without waiting for us to catch up. 

We get engaged in meaningful activities but sometimes we are not really conscious about things we do and how it affects us.

The way to get past this instability is to put in conscious effort in ensuring we have a balanced life.

It is important that we do not lose ourselves, past relationships and past memories that have been beneficial to us. 

So, when moving on to new experiences, remember the previous experiences that made you happy. Try to continue with activities/habits that are beneficial.

The whole idea is to keep track of your goals and not get carried away by the new benefits or get too stressed by new experiences.

If you go into a new relationship, do not lose yourself.

If you have too many responsibilities, remember to still take care of yourself.

Here are some things that can help keep us in check…..

Keeping up with yourself:

• Do the things that make you happy when you get into a new environment.
• Make new memories.
• Take pictures or write a journal as a reminder.
• Have a ‘things to do’ list
• Be conscious of each action and control your emotions. 
• Have an attitude of gratitude.
• Be useful.
• Do not limit yourself.
• If you loved your size 8 or 10 body, work hard to get back in shape.
• Pursue a skill you have always wanted even if you currently have a different job.
• Do not lose track of your goal.
• Have some ‘Me time’.
• Compare the ‘old you’ and the ‘new you’. Make the required changes if there are any.
• Give yourself a treat.
• Do not be too busy to sort your hair, nails etc
• Take care of yourself
• Monitor your progress.
• Never think you are undeserving of good things.
• Connect with your spirituality.
• Take a break from work to relax.
• Make personal goals asides from the ones you make with your partner. You should discuss it.
• Do things that motivate you.

We really cannot achieve a meaningful life on our own. We need relationships to work, we need friends to support us and we need to create a balance between our personal activities and having time for our partner or friends. 

Here are six simple things we can do to ensure the required balance is created.

Keeping up with relationships:

• Communicate with your partner or friends.
• Avoid assumptions.
• Do not stop going on dates with your spouse when you start having kids.
• Create time to hang out with your friends and family.
• Keep important relationships.
• Appreciate your partner or friends.

To realise your purpose, you should ensure you do not get drowned in activities and then forget to be aware of yourself.

If you enjoyed reading this post, please share your thoughts.

What are the little things you do to keep track of yourself?

How do you stay motivated?
How do you relax?

I’ll love to read from you.

Love, Peace and Cupcakes

Phaytea😘😘😘