Have you ever felt pulled in opposite directions and thought you were going to break? At one time or another most of us have probably felt that way. As creative leaders, living the lives we lead in today's world can be very stressful and challenging. We have multiple priorities vying for our attention and time.
The demands of a job can be stressful in and of themselves. We have multiple people pulling and pushing us. We have deadlines that we have to meet. Quotas that we have to deliver. Goals we have to achieve.
On top of work, the home life can add additional stress. We have children to raise, chores to do and spouses who require our time. We have friends who call and text and want to have coffee so they can chat about the stress in their lives.
Some days it is amazing that we have anytime for ourselves. Some days we can't find time to do any of our creative work like writing or painting. When I go too long without writing, I feel out of sorts. A happy, successful life depends on taking care of oneself — of finding a release for our creative energies. Too often, we are so busy meeting the needs and demands of others that we forget about our needs and expectations.
Negative people also creative stress in our lives. They put us down. They tell us we will never be successful. They are always finding something to criticize. They suggest we give up on our dreams because they have given up on theirs. They are very destructive to our spirits.
Five Ways to Care for Yourself
1. Discover what restores your spirit. For example:
- A walk in the woods
- Exercise
- Meditation
- Prayer
- Reading
- Writing
- Singing
- Drawing/Painting
- Massage
3. Learn to say "no" to the requests of others if you don't have the time.
4. Avoid negative people who put you down and make you feel bad about yourself.
5. Associate with positive people who are supportive and caring.
4. Avoid negative people who put you down and make you feel bad about yourself.
5. Associate with positive people who are supportive and caring.
