These days, trying to maintain any sort of work-life balance can seem impossible. In addition to work related tasks there’s always something else that needs to be done. Going to the grocery store. Making dinner…again! Washing clothes. Cleaning the house. The thought of all that I “have” to do feels overwhelming. Maybe you can relate.

In the summer of 2018 I ended up physically sick, injured and emotionally overwhelmed after trying to manage all the things I felt I “had” to do. This wakeup call led me to take a “Self-Care Staycation.” I nursed myself back to health by focusing on the “must dos” on my to-do list. I canceled all my social obligations (even the ones I love!). And I intentionally took a weekend to enjoy quality time with myself reading and journaling. 

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes. Including you. ~Anne Lamott

You may think you don’t have time to unplug and take care of yourself. But you do! Commit to take a break from things that you believe you “should” do. The reality is, you can't afford to keep pushing yourself to the point of burn out. 

If any (or all!) of the following rings true, you need to schedule downtime immediately. Not waiting until when you have the time, instead make the time.

1. Your Idea of Balance is Unattainable 

Making peace with the fact that there will never be perfect balance in your life is the first step towards finding true balance. Commit to recalibrating and changing priorities to find peace amidst the chaos. We explore finding balance in depth at our Detox & Yoga Retreat.

2. You Don’t Prioritize Yourself

It sounds like a no-brainer, but prioritizing yourself and your wants and needs is challenging. Our relationship with self is crucial. If we are not getting our basic needs met we can’t begin to tackle our to-do list. Oftentimes we get the order of that mixed up. Self-care sounds like a luxury but the reality is it’s a necessity, and it should come after our needs for basic survival and personal safety are met. We explore Self Love and Affirmations as a way to prioritize your needs at our Self Love & Acceptance Retreat.

3.  You’re Caught in Perfectionism, Control, and/or People Pleasing 

Or any other habit that is sabotaging your way forward. I spent years of my life trying to control—every stinking thing. I’m here to tell you I was constantly stressed and exhausted trying to maintain that life. When you can let go of whatever obsession is sabotaging you, you’ll find peace, joy and forward motion. We explore the power of making peace with what no longer serves you at our Love Yourself Retreat.

4. You Hold Onto Things That Hold You Back

In your life, in your home, in your relationships. I love the minimalist lifestyle. I’m not there yet, but I’m definitely on my way. Getting rid of clutter (mental, physical, emotional) is freeing—not only freeing up space, but freeing us from anxiety and distraction. We explore the power of letting go at our Grounding & Growth Retreat.

5. You Struggle with Saying No

However you say it, remember a “no” to obligations that don’t serve you, is a “yes” to you and what matters to you—family, friends, self-care and living an authentic life. Obligations that take you away from yourself and your journey to your authentic self just aren’t worth it. We explore how saying no to what isn’t for you allows you to say yes to you at our Detox & Yoga Retreat.

6. You Haven’t Forgiven Yourself

You haven’t forgotten, and you haven’t moved on. When you hold onto a particular memory or event that causes feelings of trauma, pain and suffering, your mind is constantly trying to figure out what went wrong and how you can fix it. These memories can be everything from the small (somebody cut in front of you in the self check-out line at the grocery store) to the huge (a painful divorce or the estrangement of a loved one). A skilled counselor is always a go to when experiencing the unrest caused by a devastating loss. We explore forgiving yourself at the Love Yourself Retreat.

7. You Simply Need a Break

Maybe you’ve been wanting to attend a yoga and meditation retreat, but you’ve been busy, scared, overwhelmed—you fill in the blank. Consider this a sign! Our retreats are exclusively designed for women and you not only get the peace and relaxation you’ve been seeking, you get so much more. A change of scenery. A welcoming community. Free time to enjoy the hammock or a puzzle. Chef-prepared meals and wine. What’s not to love? A yoga retreat will change your perspective and maybe even your life. If you’re a book lover, check out our Book Lovers Retreat. If books aren’t your thing, but relaxation is, our Nurture Retreat is perfect for you. Or you want to challenge yourself in yoga, our Strength & Healing Retreat will do just that.

Start Small with a Mini Break

Instead of fantasizing about escaping to the beach indefinitely, I know I need to build mini breaks into my days, my weeks, my life. I love the simple things: riding my bike, working in my garden, reading a book or going to the park with Mason. But in order to do that, I have to rearrange my priorities. Tell myself it’s okay if we have chips and sandwiches for dinner. Know that we have enough clothes and put off laundry until the weekend. Get my groceries delivered. Reminding myself a messy house is evidence of all of the fun we’re having. In order to have the time to take mini breaks, I must be mindful and intentional.

Some mini breaks to try: Hire a therapist, let off some steam with your girlfriends, take a mindful walk through a beautiful place, discover the joy of moving your body in a yoga or a Zumba class. Even a few hours away in a “mini vacation” can do wonders - treat yourself to lunch, a movie, a pedicure or all three! Consider taking a break from social media - spending too much time on social media has been found to be detrimental to our mental health. Here are even more tips if you’re suffering from burn out.

Or Go Big with a Yoga Retreat

Life is too short to waste another minute being out of balance and completely miserable. Give yourself permission to unplug and take the self care break you need. Book an upcoming retreat.

Come Back For More

This collection is part of our Year of Self Care Guide. Each month, you'll find a new collection of simple practices that will help you honor, love, forgive and prioritize yourself, week by week.

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‍This blog is intended to provide helpful suggestions for self care and overall well-being. I am not a mental health professional. If you’re struggling I encourage you to seek the help of a professional. Find a Mental Health Professional | National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

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