Self-Care as a Linewife/Line Lady & Living the Line Life

Let's face it living the line life isn't easy. It's stressful, it's crazy, and everything can change in an instant.  The first thing that we all seem to neglect is ourselves. Which leads us to pouring from an empty cup and we all know you can't pour from empty Cup. You want to be the best for your family. To help them the best way you can in any way possible way. When that cup is empty it isn’t pretty, and there is not much help to give when you are at the end of your rope.

So how can we poor from a fuller more abundant cup?

The first thing I can say that works for me the best is doing something I love every day. Even if I must make time to do it. And if that means you're sitting on the back porch with a cup of coffee a half an hour before everyone gets up to enjoy some peace, make it happen. If it's sneaking your guilty pleasure of watching Housewives or whatever Bachelor show is on at night to unwind, make it happen. Take a bath with some lavender or relaxing bath salts. Listen to your favorite music. Sometimes the simplest little things bring us so much joy. Finding time to enjoy those little things will help fill that cup up a little more.

The next thing I would say would be to take a good look at what you're putting into your body. Are you getting enough greens? Are you drinking enough water? What does your sleep patterns look like? Are you consuming too much alcohol? I am not saying you must change absolutely every one of these things this very instant. But what I am saying is to take small steps to change them each day.  Those small steps will add up quickly and the lack of alcohol in your daily or weekly routine will make you feel so much clearer and alive. Or that extra hour of sleep leaves you refreshed in the morning instead of groggy the next day. Give it a shot!

Create a journal in your phone or computer. Write out that stress and get it all out! Focus on letting it all out, then writing what you want to see happen next. Write some positivity right into your life! Start a gratitude log. Write 10 things you are grateful for each day.

Visit those friends that make you laugh, smile, and feel the best! They say you become who you surround yourself with the most. Look at who you have around you. Are those friends adding to your stress? If they are, start spending time around those who enrich your life. Don’t have any? Find some! Follow a positive page online, read positive blogs, or listen to positive podcasts! We’re not saying to drop those crazy friends completely, just space out the time you spend with them.

Watch funny shows or listen to funny podcasts. Laughter is medicine for the soul. It is free, do it!

Meditation isn’t for everyone. Don’t know where to start? Just search Youtube guided meditation and close those pretty eyes of yours. Start with 10 or 15 minutes and work up from there. Set your alarm to remind you to take the time to relax every day. Just those few minutes of quieting your mind will hit that reset button and you’ll feel refreshed in no time! Before you know it you will look forward to that quiet time each day.

Nature is a cure all! Hug a tree! Well, maybe not quite like that, but if that’s your thing more power to you! Take a walk, a hike or run. Take your shoes off and walk through the sand at the beach, or the grass in the park. Listen to the birds chirping, notice how green the grass is, the wind blowing in the branches on the trees or how the sunshine casts shadows on the ground. This is your moment to yourself. Breathe in through your nose and let all that tension out through your mouth!

Exercise. The hardest part is putting on your shoes. Push yourself to keep it up, even when you want to quit. What motivates you? What fitness goal can you set for yourself? Strive for that goal! Work those endorphins right out! You will feel so much better once you have sweated it all out!

ABC game. Yes, it is what it sounds like. Start with something you are thankful for that starts with A. Let me help you, Air conditioning! We are ALL thankful for that in the summer! Then do, B, C, D, etc. You might have to get creative with X or Z but by that time you’ll have the sparks of positivity and happiness in you!  Total mood changer!

In the end it will be up to YOU and only YOU to decide to give yourself that so much deserved self-time/self-care. You have the time, make it happen. You will thank yourself for taking a few minutes to re-charge each day.  Linelife isn’t ever going to get easier. It will always be stressful and full of constant change. Just remember we are all going through rough times too. Reach out to your fellow Line Ladies and Linewives! Chances are high we have been in your shoes and are willing to help!