With 2024 underway, I want you to ask yourself, “How can you show up for yourself in 2024?”
We often are so busy taking care of others, hustling through the never ending to-do lists, often not taking care of ourselves. I invite you all to take the time to reflect on the past year. What systems did you have in place that served you well? What commitments were on your calendar that made you stressed or overwhelmed? Are there areas you can outsource, or ask for your help? Are there commitments on your schedule for 2024 you can politely decline to allow yourself (and your family) more time for rest and connection? We’ve all heard the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. I know for me personally, I’m a better mother, wife and friend when I take time to refuel and recharge.
Before we dive into the ways you can show up for yourself, let’s first understand why it’s important to do so and what it means to show up for yourself. Showing up for yourself means taking care of your own needs and desires, not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well. Showing up for yourself means taking responsibility for your happiness, your own well-being, and your personal success. It’s about acknowledging your needs, setting boundaries, and making choices that align with your values and goals. It’s about being present, engaged, and proactive in your life. When we talk about showing up for ourselves, we’re talking about self-care, self-love, and self-respect. It’s about prioritizing your needs and making sure you’re taking care of your mental, emotional, and physical health. The entire package!
Here are some empowering ways to show up for yourself every single day:
Get Clear With Your Goals: Having clear, defined goals is the first step toward achieving them. Understanding what you want from life, what makes you happy, and what you’re passionate about can help you set goals that are meaningful and fulfilling. Start by identifying your long-term goals, then break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This might involve visualization of how you want your life to look in 5 or 10 years if these aren’t easy for you to picture yet. Make sure your goals are realistic, measurable, and are in alignment with your values.
Monthly goal setting is a big part of my personal goal process. Yes, I have my big annual goals and longer-term goals, but setting monthly goals that align with these bigger goals makes them more attainable and helps me see smaller progress each month. Another perspective I really love is building habits rather than goals. This process defined in the book ‘Atomic Habits‘ by James Clear identifies the power of creating daily habits and stacking those habits to allow progress towards that bigger ideal.
Make Time For Things That Bring You Joy: In our busy lives, it can be easy to forget about the things that bring us joy. But these activities, whether it’s a hobby, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a walk in nature, are crucial for our mental health and emotional well-being. They help us relax, recharge, and stay connected with ourselves. Pursuing our passions also gives us extra purpose and reasons to be excited every single day! Make it a point to schedule time for these activities, just as you would any other important appointment.
Set Boundaries & Stick To Them: Setting boundaries is about respecting your own needs and ensuring others respect them too. It’s about saying no when you need to, asking for what you need, and not allowing others to take advantage of your time or energy. Setting healthy boundaries can be challenging, especially if you’re used to putting others’ needs before your own, but it’s crucial for your well-being and self-respect. This means saying ‘no’ when you’ve got too much going on already, or you simply don’t want to do something. Get out of the habit of always saying yes. Protect your time because it is valuable.
Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is essential for our physical health and cognitive function.
It’s also crucial for our mental health, as it helps regulate our mood and manage stress.
Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine, make your bedroom a calm and comfortable space, and avoid screens before bed to improve the quality of your sleep. As a busy Mama of 3 young children, this often seems unattainable, but this is one area I myself have to really focus on to support my mental health.
Take Care Of Your Health: Taking care of your physical health is a key part of showing up for yourself. This includes eating a balanced diet, staying active, getting regular check-ups, and listening to your body’s signals. It also includes taking care of your mental health, by managing stress, seeking help when you need it, and practicing self-care. It doesn’t mean you need to be doing a 5km run every day (unless you want to do that). It does mean making time to look after your body, inside and out. You’ve only got one! Treat it well.
Practice Gratitude: Gratitude can have a powerful impact on your mental health and outlook on life. It can shift your focus from what’s wrong in your life to appreciating what’s right. Start a gratitude journal, or simply take a few minutes each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. This simple act has such a drastic impact on developing a positive mindset. I have a daily phone reminder pop up each morning asking me what I am most excited about today. This means I start my day with positive thoughts and a grateful heart.
Surround Yourself With People Who Lift You Up: The people we surround ourselves with have a significant impact on our self-worth, happiness, and outlook on life. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who respect you, appreciate you, and encourage you to be your best self. Minimize contact with those who bring you down or drain your energy. Eliminate toxic people when possible. Sometimes this isn’t possible (such as in the workplace), so just do what you can to protect your boundaries when with these people Your inner circle should be made up of people who inspire, motivate, and challenge you to grow.
Ask For Help When You Need It: Sometimes, showing up for yourself means admitting that you can’t do it all alone. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it, whether it’s from a friend, family member, or professional. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. We all need support from time to time and seeking help shows that we value ourselves enough to prioritize our well-being.
Showing up for yourself is about taking care of your needs, respecting yourself, and living life on your own terms. It’s about making choices that align with your values and goals and taking steps toward the life you want. With these tips, I hope 2024 is all about showing up for yourself.
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