Welcome to week 10 of this alphabet inspired newsletter.
Well its the first week of a new Month, March is certainly the start of our season over here in France, and so juggling our many activities becomes necessary. It's also a time when I have to be really careful not to judge myself or others. It is all too easy in times of more stress and tension to let those judgements take a hold. Ultimately no matter how much we have to do it is so important to remember that lovely 3 letter word 'JOY'. Make sure that you find time to feel joyful every day, it's not just for weekends. So here are my J based tips for this the 1st week of March.
Juggling - Spring is finally here. This often signifies a lot of activity, in all sorts of areas. Many of us will be spring cleaning and organising as well as the day job. March is definitely the month where is all starts to happen for me here in France. I love to carry on with all my coaching work, and then add in getting the gites ready for the season as well as all the spring cleaning and gardening work for our property management clients too. Juggling tasks becomes necessary and a daily way of life. My top tip for making this an enjoyable process is that whenever it all feels a little too much, just stop and breathe through the moment of overwhelm. A short 5 minute meditation can work wonders to help you keep things in perspective. If you have a smart phone, carry some headphones around with you and log onto YouTube to find a short guided meditation on overwhelm. Taking the small timeout creates the space for everything to start to fall into place much more easily. Even in the busiest of times its really important to make time to have some fun every day. I believe this is when you need it the most. What is fun or joy for you and how can you incorporate it into your busy day?
Judgement - What is judgement, and how does it affect your life? For me judgement has been ingrained in us since birth. Just the language we use in terms of right or wrong, good or bad, pretty or ugly are all judgemental words. This is a massive topic, too big for this newsletter, so today I just want to look at judgement in terms of self. We are our own worst critics. I know I get particularly self critical at busy times, when tensions are running a little high. Often when we are at our busiest the temptation is to raise our expectations to an impossible high level. Unrealistically long to do lists, can lead to overwhelm and a feeling of being an underachiever. Setting ourselves up to fail is never motivational. When I coach someone who is being unduly self critical I ask them this question: If you were to focus on what you have achieved today, rather than what you ran out of time to do, what would that reveal to you? I use this on myself too. Whenever I catch myself judging me in a harsh and critical way, I look for the evidence to support the opposite of that perception. For example, when I hear myself saying: "I got nothing done today". Then I stop, breathe and list what I actually achieved. I hope this helps you too.
Joy - Last week I mentioned the 2011 retreat last week. So much was gained from that fabulous experience. One of my favourite takeaways that I still use today was to generate a list of things I love to do just for me. Things that feel good and bring me joy. Here are some of the things on my list
* Long hot bath, with a great book and a cup of hot chocolate.
* Having a massage;
* Reading uninterrupted in the sun:
* Snorkelling in the Maldives;
* Horse riding, a trek in the countryside;
* Swimming in a warm open air pool;
* Relaxing in a Spa for the day with a girlfriend;
* Sitting in front of the fire snuggled up with my husband;
* Walking the dogs by the river;
* Making things with my sewing machine;
* Redesigning and decorating rooms;
* Making someone's day by sending a surprise gift;
So what would be on your list? Go get some paper and a pen and write your list now. Then ask yourself: How many of these things are you doing at the moment? How can you find/make more time to do more of these things. Make sure you do at least one of the things on your list every day if not 3 or more. Let more joy in and love your life.
* Long hot bath, with a great book and a cup of hot chocolate.
* Having a massage;
* Reading uninterrupted in the sun:
* Snorkelling in the Maldives;
* Horse riding, a trek in the countryside;
* Swimming in a warm open air pool;
* Relaxing in a Spa for the day with a girlfriend;
* Sitting in front of the fire snuggled up with my husband;
* Walking the dogs by the river;
* Making things with my sewing machine;
* Redesigning and decorating rooms;
* Making someone's day by sending a surprise gift;
So what would be on your list? Go get some paper and a pen and write your list now. Then ask yourself: How many of these things are you doing at the moment? How can you find/make more time to do more of these things. Make sure you do at least one of the things on your list every day if not 3 or more. Let more joy in and love your life.
Professional Bio
Janine Wood is a woman who thrives on her sense of adventure and her capabilities at giving anything a go. She left her 6 figure corporate income to live her rural dream life in France with the love of her life Tony and their two rescue dogs Junior and Benjy. Janine is inspired by interior design, creation, music, art, dance, fun and personal growth and she lives each day with love, laughter and inspiration. Her role now is to inspire other people who know that they can take more out of life and supporting them as they too discover how to live every day like it was their best.
Subscribe to this Let Go and Love Life Newsletter here.
Janine Wood is a woman who thrives on her sense of adventure and her capabilities at giving anything a go. She left her 6 figure corporate income to live her rural dream life in France with the love of her life Tony and their two rescue dogs Junior and Benjy. Janine is inspired by interior design, creation, music, art, dance, fun and personal growth and she lives each day with love, laughter and inspiration. Her role now is to inspire other people who know that they can take more out of life and supporting them as they too discover how to live every day like it was their best.
Subscribe to this Let Go and Love Life Newsletter here.
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