“What do I need to bring the fullest, most alive version of myself to this day?” 🥰 ~Mara Glatzel
Taking care of yourself is a necessity (#347)
As a caregiver, my grandma’s needs are often unpredictable and hard to deal with, especially while I am juggling work and biz and often on a limited amount of sleep.
A few weeks ago, I received an email letting me know that the Stress-Busting for Caregivers program would be starting on October 31st. It surprised me because I remember looking into it but didn’t remember signing up for any session. 😆
At that moment, I had to chuckle and mentally high-five Past Jess for looking out for me.
While I do participate lurk in some Facebook groups related to caregiving like this one and this one, this is the first time I’ve been a part of a live discussion talking about some of the challenges and struggles I go through. It feels a bit uncomfortable if I’m being honest, but also,… nice to be supported. Because when it comes to caregiving, there’s still so much I don’t know.
I look forward to experimenting with stress management techniques over the coming weeks and adding to my overall self-care toolkit. The first of which is relaxed breathing. (You may know it better as belly breathing instead of the chest breathing we often do when anxious/stressed.)
Breathing. It seems like such a small thing, but it can affect so much.
We juggle so much as entrepreneurs, daughters, fathers, partners, and employees while also being humans who need care.
Our group facilitator reminded us this week:
“Taking care of yourself is not a luxury - it is a necessity.”
All those commitments need us at our best.
Don’t get me wrong - it’s easier said than done. And it takes practice.
Baby stepssssss. 👣
What might you need to be at your best?
What are you juggling, and are there ways to ease or simplify things?
Would a “support group” or community with folks going through similar journeys and challenges be helpful?
💡If you’d like to meet others in the #jesspicks community, fill out a profile, and you’ll be matched with another member soon. Last I checked, we had 75 members, including me! It’s a fun, low-stress way to connect with other like-minded people.
Could you schedule some breaks into your day to rest and recharge?
How about finding opportunities to look for the glimmers?
My second nephew was born this week! 🎉
“Self-care is about asking yourself: What do I need to bring the fullest, most alive version of myself to this day? What does my body need from me? How can I meet these needs in a way that is DOABLE for me today?” ~Mara Glatzel, Needy
What do you need? What does your body need?
What’s doable?
I’m starting with breathing. 😮💨
On to the picks!
P.S. Saying no can also be a form of self-care. I published a blog post on this earlier this week. Trying to ease my way back into blogging again.
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#poll
Here are the top three answers from last week’s poll:
Writer - 35%
Entrepreneur - 26%
Side Hustler - 17%
#loves 😍
😮💨. App: Breathwrk. It gives you daily reminders and different breathing exercises you can follow. Since I want to improve at this, I’m taking advantage of technology. 😉
💃🏽. Video: Taylor Swift Dance Workout - Eras Tour. Taylor is still top of mind, and since I had to miss my Monday night class to be home with Grandma, it was great to take 30 minutes and do this in my bedroom. It was so good for my mental health. Each song has two main moves, so there is no complicated choreography to remember.
#reads
5 Blog Post Templates That Attract Readers And Revenue
One of my new readers this week had a question about making some progress with their new blog. I already knew Josh Spector had some good articles about this topic, and I re-discovered this post. It was good, too, because I want to keep these ideas in mind over the coming months. Here are the templates:
“Read THIS Before You Do THAT.”
One-Sentence Tips - I have created one of these.
Recommended Resources - I have a resources page featuring tools I use, but I like the idea of creating one specifically for my audience.
“How To Get [Thing Your Audience Wants]”
Recommend Your “Competitors”
—
Which Side Hustle Idea is Right for You?
I love this way of thinking about it.
Tip: Minimalist Hustler Weekly
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick: 7 Ways to Find Readers and Subscribers When No One Knows You Yet (second week in a row!)
🎤. Need an awesome speaker/facilitator? Hire me.
🔍. Curious about my process for doing this newsletter every week? Go behind the scenes in this 1-hour training.
#classifieds 🗞
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#lifevibes
supporters ☕️
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Found this content helpful?
Thanks for the mention Jess :)