Basement & Bathtub Mojo
Joy to you!
Those of you who know my story, know that my dream realization mojo really kicked into gear from the depths of the dark, musty, basement apartment where I lived … for 3 years!
Yep. At the time, I was absolutely drowning in debt and I spent most Friday and Saturday nights with my cat. Trust me, the metaphor was not lost on me that my basement “digs” were a constant reminder that I was LITERALLY underground. Yet, it was there that I started to dream … determined and believing that that there had GOT to be a better way!
I used to look out my tiny-tiny window – with the view of the sidewalk and the tires of cars passing by – and I’d dream. While I didn’t know it at the time, this is where seeds of Create Your Life! were born.
Now, not only was my apartment in a basement, it had a teeny-tiny *black* bathroom – yes, black paint(!) was on the walls. (Trust me, I thought many times about re-painting, but I simply couldn’t stand to be IN there long enough to repaint it!) My teeny-tiny black bathroom, of course, had a stand-up shower. Oh, how I DREAMED of a bathtub!!
So when I *finally* moved out – and bought a house (which is another story for another time) – a bathtub was one of my non-negotiable requirements. And to this day, I love and cherish my bathtub. It is, to me, a sacred place of respite. A few candles, some bath salts – sometimes a glass of wine – and my bathtub becomes an at-home spaaaaaaahhh… A mini-vacation. No packing or travel required.
How ’bout you? What is the ultimate retreat for you? What are some of the ways you give yourself a delicious break? How do you create sacred, rejuvenating time for yourself?
Do YOU need a vacation? Or, at the minimum, a break for some “you time” to unwind, to regroup, to rejuvenate? And really … who couldn’t benefit from having more R & R?
Do You Dream of Time OFF?
Taking time off is an important part of holistic self-care and well-being. Here in the U.S., summer is fast approaching …a common time for long weekends with family and friends, days at the beach, boating, camping, hiking, gardening, barbeques, and just kickin’ back for some rest and relaxation!
Sound refreshing and inviting? Comforting and balancing? Or does it create a feeling of inner confusion and anxiety … wanting to take time off but fearing that there will be a high price to pay?
When was the last time YOU took an honest vacation? When was the last time you truly “unplugged” from the daily grind and felt renewed, refreshed, and invigorated?
Imagine YOU … not working … and not even thinking about work. Your energy is instead fully available for other things. It might be an hour, a weekend, a week, or a full month! Either way, it’s precious and delightful time OFF!
Have YOU taken time off yet this year? Do you have plans for time off in the coming months? It’s not too late (or too early) to start planning and schedule this time on your calendar – you could do this right now. Why not take this opportunity to sit down with your calendar, decide on and then DO whatever needs to be done to support YOU having some time off?
Notice: What’s coming up for you? Are you hearing yourself say, for example:
- “When I’m done with this project then maybe I’ll look at my calendar.”
- “I don’t have time, with my family commitments and all..”
- “I haven’t worked hard enough to really deserve time off.”
- “There’s no money in the budget for a vacation.”
- “Time off will only set me back and create more work.”
- “I would love to but…(fill in the blank)”
Let me say … I am in no way suggesting that you re-mortgage your house or plunk down the credit card to go on an extravagant vacation. Yet here’s the risk of letting these thoughts stop you from saying “YES” to time off altogether …
It’s exactly these kinds of thought patterns of undeservedness or “someday” or “later” thinking, that can lead to a sense of martyrdom, to feeling unappreciated, to setting yourself up for burn out, AND neglecting your need for R & R can even have an adverse effect on your health
and well-being.
We *all* need time off! And, truth is, taking time off allows us to be much more productive and engaged during our time on!
Time off is about shifting gears to support your holistic well-being. Time off is a KEY piece to creating true Success Synergy: a balance of working AND not working. It is an investment in well-being, and frankly … the alternative is unsustainable.
If you DON’T give yourself time to re-charge, your body will eventually demand it but – why wait ’til your bod is SCREAMING for you honor this basic need?!? Your know better. It’s really about being someone who honors this need and allows *space* in your mind, in your heart, and in your LIFE for what nourishes you – doing what you need to do to prioritize and support of your own self-care. And really: if you don’t do it, who will?
Even if you don’t know yet exactly how or where you’re going to spend your time off, it’s important to make a commitment to carving out that time NOW. That means time unplugged – not working. (Yes, even if you *love* your job. And yes, even if the budget is tight.)
Again – there are no rules about distance, duration, or cost. A frankly, an extravagant vacation doesn’t not necessary mean a more rejuvenating vacation. So, make it your own. It could be a stay-cation! Time off can be as simple as YOU, a magazine, and a lawn chair. It’s about carving out “you time” – time dedicated to NOT working and NOT thinking about work. Claim it and make it yours! Enjoy!
May your dreams always inspire more than they intimidate,
I didn’t have a Plan B. I didn’t have money … and I ALSO didn’t have anyone to bail me out if I failed. 
SO MUCH TRANSFORMATION has happened in my life and in my business since then that I barely recognize “circa 2004 Tara”!
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