How do you choose to show up for yourself?
Choosing to show up for yourself can be an act of self-love, taking you back to your grounded, more authentic self. Here are two ways you can do just that. By Paula Hines
Showing up for yourself is a practice (and an important one). It's also an act of self-love, but it isn't just about or for you; it allows you to show up more fully for others.
What this looks like will depend on what feels right for you. One of the things my yoga practice has allowed me to do is take showing up for myself more seriously and to do so more consistently. If you're feeling stuck, here are just two of the things that I like to practice. If they resonate or provide some inspiration, I share more like this in my recent book, Rest + Calm.
Switch off Sundays
Though I enjoy social media, it can be a time-stealer. During 2017 I found that my social media scrolling was becoming an issue, so my response was to take a week-long social media break. I didn't realise how positive the impact of this short break would be yet at the same time I knew I didn't want to give up social media completely. This was the beginning of what I call my Switch Off Sundays: a day away from social media each week. If you notice social media addiction creeping in, why not consider doing the same? That one day a week adds up to 50 days a year. Imagine what else you could do with that time.
Choosing ease
I do my best to create space in my days by reminding myself that I am allowed to choose ease. I don't succeed 100% of the time, but most of the time I allow myself punctuation points in my days by intentionally not overscheduling myself, practicing only saying 'yes' when I really mean it and taking things off my to-do list. The result is that each day I get some time just for me. It also means that I'm usually able to choose the pace for my day. As counterintuitive as it sounds, approaching my weeks in this way means that I'm more likely to complete the tasks I need to and in a more easeful way. If you're reading this and it sounds impossible, I promise you it's not. I used to think that too. It does require reframing your thoughts and being willing to start small. Give it a try and you may be surprised.
How will you choose to show up for yourself today?
Paula Hines is a yoga teacher and writer based in London. Her new book Rest + Calm (Green Tree, Bloomsbury Publishing) is out now in paperback. Find out more at: ucanyoga.co.uk
Read more of Paula's Teacher's Tales here.
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