In our work centered culture, too many of us look towards work for the meaning and fulfillment we desire. It’s time to remember that your life is not only about your work. We have to learn how to de-program our “on alert” status which ultimately leads to burnout. Knowing how to comfort yourself is self-empowering and also fortifies the SELF to deal with whatever life hands you. Self-nurturing is the courage to pay attention to your needs, a way to applaud your aliveness. Daily comfort and pleasure gives you the premium fuel you need to support your daily lifestyle. So let’s begin. Take out your journal or a notepad and create your Comfort List. Instructions are below:
The Comfort List
Dream up a list of pleasurable activities you would love to do.
Write these bliss-inspiring ideas in a comfort journal. Think of pleasures that encompass each area of your life:
physical,
emotional,
mental,
and spiritual.
What are you not doing that you wish you were?
What is missing in your life?
Make your list varied in terms of time requirements:
activities you can do in…
a few minutes,
an hour,
a half day,
a day ,
even two days.
Your list does not have to be made up entirely of solitary pleasures, but some activities you should do alone just to insure you aren’t basing your bliss on some else’s desires.
Try to come up with at least twenty pleasures. This will give you variety.
Examples of Everyday Pleasures that Fuel Your Body, Mind and Spirit
Listening to Your Favorite Music
Remember at least 10 of your favorite songs and performers and then play their music in the car and at home.
Fuel Your Body
Caring for your body is essential to living a high-quality life.
- Go for a walk.
- Take 5 nice, slow, deep breaths.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Get a massage.
- Take a candlelit bath.
- Meditate.
- Choose a Fun Exercise-try something new.
Lifting Your Spirits With Laughter
A good belly laugh does the body good!
- Get together with friends who make you laugh
- Read a funny book
- See a comedy show
- Rent a funny video
Doing Something Wild and Extravagent
Fuel yourself by doing something outrageous
- Buy yourself a bunches of glorious flowers and put them all over your home and/or office
- Buy yourself a set silk sheets or silk lingerie
- Wear a bold color you’ve never worn before
- Let your imagination run wild
Doing Something Different and New
- Take a dance class
- Learn a new hobby
- Visit spiritual places in your city
- Develop a new relaxation practice
- Do something you’ve always wanted to do!
The Pleasure Program
Okay. Now that you’ve completed your list. Whip out your calendar and open it to tomorrow. Place your pleasure list next to your calendar. Now on each and every day, schedule two pleasurable activities. Keep an eye out for balance. Choose activities that are DO-ABLE.
For example:
MONDAY
Talk to my best friend
Go for a walk
TUESDAY
Meditate for fifteen minutes
Watch a movie with friends
WEDNESDAY
Attend a yoga class
Draw
THURSDAY
Go to library or bookstore and find books on what interests me.
Get a massage.
FRIDAY
Go to the museum during my lunch hour.
Put on music and do spontaneous exercise for twenty minutes.
Have a nice dinner with my lover.
Notice that you can schedule more than 2!!!
When you fuel your body, mind and spirit, life takes on a magical quality. You are able to handle life’s difficulties with so much more grace and ease.
Blessings and love,
Sheri
(Adapted From “The Woman’s Comfort Book A Self Nurturing Guide for Restoring Balance in Your Life “ by Jennifer Louden)
