(512) 550-7918 | anna@selfcaretodaytomorrow.com

Anna McElearney

My WordPress Blog

by Leave a Comment

Self Care Made Simple

Self Care Made Simple

Self care made simple…I created a simple and easy self care acronym to help in thinking about all the different aspects to self care.

RESPPP – Self Care Acronym

R – Relationship Self Care

E – Emotional Self Care

S – Spiritual Self Care

P – Psychological Self Care

P – Physical Self Care

P – Professional Self Care

Relationship Self Care

Relationship self care is focused around your relationships. Your intimate relationship – whether you are married, coupled, dating…there are many aspects to the caring of yourself and the one you love.

This also includes relationships you have with family members. With friends. Co-workers…

Do you have relationships that are nourishing, supportive and caring? Or, have some of your relationships met their season in your life and it’s time to let go in love? Are there boundaries that are needed? Or, are there boundaries that might need to be revised?

These are some important questions as it relates to your relationship health.

Emotional Self Care

Emotional self care is centered around your emotional health. Your feelings and emotional life within you.

Many times our emotions are tied to thoughts we have that impact our state. And when we are in a reactive state – meaning we are reacting to stressors, to triggers, to others – rather than taking time to pause, reflect, decide how we want to respond – we are often being led by emotions that have certain thoughts attached that then lead us to react in certain behavioral ways.

When we take time to become curious about our emotional world, we can learn a lot about ourself. Emotions can be one of our greatest teachers.

Spiritual Self Care

Nurturing and taking time to build your spiritual practice is another important aspect to our overall health and wellness. Knowing where you are on your spiritual journey can provide insight into how you can turn toward this part of your life and see what is needed.

Is it balanced? Do you need support? Community? Prayer? Meditation? Beginning to quiet the outside world to begin looking within to see what your spiritual health needs are is an integral part of your spiritual self care.

Psychological Self Care

Taking care of what you nourish your mind with…what books you are reading. What messages are presented through podcasts, friends, family, news shows, movies, etc.

This also includes looking at what hobbies interest you. Are there things you want to learn how to do? Musical instruments you want to learn how to play? The list is endless on the different ways you can begin to become curious as to what your psychological health yearns for…

Physical Self Care

This is what people typically talk to me about when they talk about self care. Physical self care.

This includes exercising, what you consume nutritionally…but it also includes going to the doctor when needed, scheduling well checks, dental visits, etc.

Professional Self Care 

Staying current in your profession is a key component to self care. But also knowing what boundaries you need around your professional needs.

What do you need to say no so that you can better care for yourself – and say yes to the things that are better suited for you.

What do you need to say yes to so that you can nourish and care for yourself.

Are there professional communities you can get involved with. Or, are you too involved with so many professional groups that maybe slowing down might be a part of your professional self care needs.

Taking One Step At A Time

Self care is personal and unique to each of us. And what I think is so special about these 6 aspects to our self care is that helps us organize our thoughts around our self care. And it can help us see how it’s all interconnected! One of these is tied to all of these…

Lastly, this is not about perfectionism. This is about knowing what you need in this moment. Which might be different tomorrow and the next day. It’s about starting a practice of self reflection and turning inward to see you need. Not what everyone else needs – but what you need!

Putting your oxygen mask on first – so to speak – so you can then be the you – you want to be – with all of the precious people in your life!

Self Care Support and Coaching

If you need help and support, please reach out. I offer a limited number of one-on-one coaching directly with me and I’d love to hear from you. If you are wanting support, don’t wait any longer. Reach out today…

 

 

by Leave a Comment

Thank you to All First Responders and Health Care Workers

Thank you!

With the recent surge in COVID 19 and the upcoming school year there is so much concern, fear and anxiety many are feeling. And, I wanted to take a moment to honor all that everyone is doing to help flatten the curve.

This is in no particular order…

But first, thank you to YOU! Anyone that is reading this and is doing their part each day to stay home as best they can, social distance, wear a face mask, wash hands…thank you for doing all you can to help flatten the curve of COVID 19 cases.

And thank you to all Health Care Workers and First Responders

In full disclosure, my husband is a firefighter, and each time he goes into work I am inspired by his courage and bravery as well as all of his firefighting brothers and sisters. Thank you to all First Responders for your courage and bravery each and every day!

Thank you to all Health Care Providers out there each day helping people impacted by COVID 19. There are so many sacrifices that are unseen that so many are making each day as they leave their families to care for those who need them.

I was watching an interview recently with a doctor and she was talking about how some of the doctors she works with at the hospital aren’t going back to their homes while they are treating patients. Instead they are staying away from their families to try and protect them.

Amazing sacrifices so many are making.

Thank you to all Delivery! To all those that bring mail to people each and every day. To all that bring packages to front doors, that deliver groceries from stores…thank you!

Thank you to all Grocery Stores! Thank you for providing food to communities…

Thank you to all Therapists! I think therapists and counselors fall into the category of an important and significant responder. You are on the front lines of providing mental health and support to so many that may be feeling isolated, feeling anxious, depressed. For all that are grieving…

Thank you to all Educators, School Administrators, School Workers, Parents, and all work each day to help keep schools and children healthy! Thank you for your daily sacrifices and for all you do to help educate our most precious!

Thank you to anyone I may I have missed in this blog…thank you!

by

Mindset Shifts That Can Positively Impact Your Life

Mindset Shifts That Can Change Your Life

When starting out as a new therapist, new mama, new anything…there can be a lot of fear that shows up. Heck, fear still shows up in seasoned therapists too…but it doesn’t have to rule the show. You can overcome fear and shift your mindset so that you are living the life you want.

Saying Yes Even When Feeling Fear

So this can be a hard one sometimes but it can be so empowering. When fear creeps in and makes you start thinking negative thoughts or keeping you stuck, realize that you can say OK to these thoughts and still take an action while feeling them. You might not feel like it. But do it anyway. Let me say that again…sometimes we might not feel like doing something but we do it anyway. We show up anyway. This is what I’d like to offer you to think about when fear is creeping in.

Make Choices and Know You Can Change Your Mind

You are empowered to make your own choices. You can create the life and business you want. You! You have the ability to do this! And, you can change your mind and shift direction if needed. You have the ability to do this. Try something out.

Therapist example: If you’re wanting to work with certain clients (for example) or if you’re wanting to make changes to the way you work (as another example), try it. Take a step. See if you love it. And if you need to tweak it, then tweak it. You’re not stuck in what you decide. You can change your mind. But taking a step is the first part.

New mama juggling life and work example: If you’re wanting to move your schedule around, or maybe see more clients online to free up some time, so that you can have the life you want, try it. Take a step. See if it works for you and if not, see what needs tweaking.

Remind Yourself of Your Accomplishments

You’ve made it this far. If you’re in your graduate program – you’ve made it this far. If you’re gathering your hours toward full licensure – you’ve made it this far. If you’ve received your license – you’ve made it this far. Trust in that! Trust in you!

You have the skills needed. Yes, there will be times where you might question that. But then, another day will happen where you’ll feel like “wow, I’m pretty good at this!” Trust that thoughts are fleeting and when a negative one comes in that has you questioning your abilities, remember the positive ones! Remember that you’ve felt differently just the other day! Remember that you are helping people. You are providing a service that only you can provide and that’s such a huge benefit to all that you are helping.

Mindset Coaching

If you need help with this, please reach out. Or, if you’d like more articles/podcast episodes on this topic, please contact me and let me know…

 

 

 

by 1 Comment

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome Impacts Us All

Imposter syndrome…we all have it. Please know that! It’s just another fear based thought that pops up and can paralyze us into non-action. But, the main question is…do you believe it?

Since imposter syndrome is universal…we all have some version of it…some version of, “I can’t do that until I get x, y, z training. I can’t do that because_____.” However this part of you speaks to you, the main question is…do you listen, and do you believe it?

What I’d like you to consider is that you don’t have to believe it! Imposter syndrome is common and it usually shows up when we are stretching ourselves. When we are doing something new. When we are following our dreams…there’s an interconnectedness in it, meaning, you’re not alone. And knowing this, my hope is that it helps take the immobilizing fear of action out of it.

It’s just a part. It’s not all of you!

When you stop and think about it, this part is there because you do care so much. You do want to do a great job and serve your clients and family the best you can.

This part isn’t to be feared, what’s needed is to understand it better. And that it’s not you. It’s just a part of you. It’s a thought that a part of you is believing. And that part that believes it needs understanding and nurturing so that it doesn’t run the show and lead you into inaction.

Action Steps When Imposter Syndrome Pops Up

  1. Recognize it’s just a part of you. It’s a thought that pops up that a part of you believes.
  2. See if you can identify and become curious about this part of you. Why is it there? What does it want you to know? What are it’s fears? Chances are this part really needs to be heard by you so by turning inward and toward this part, you can start to become curious and learn more about why it’s there. This will also help create some distance between you and this part of you. Helping you to see that it’s not all of you that believes this, it’s a part of you. An aspect of you. One side of you. You are more than this part and more than this thought.
  3. Take an action. Take one small action whether that’s starting one small task, writing down goals or ideas, sending an email, writing copy for your website, cleaning out your bedroom closet, whatever it is…take one action step even if your imposter syndrome part is making you feel paralyzed, after doing the above two action steps…do this 3rd one also.
  4. Keep reminding yourself, whether you write yourself notes and put them where you can see them often, or you say it quietly to yourself, that you are taking steps toward having the life you dream of. Remember your WHY. Why are you doing this? What’s your purpose. And have that as your focus to help ground you when you need to connect back to it.

Coaching Help

I’d love to help you if you’re needing help. Reach out today to learn more about how we can work together. Coaching is such a wonderful way to help build accountability and also to have someone there to help along the way toward building the life you dream of.

Is Today Your Tomorrow To Live Your Best Life

Ready to Shine Even Brighter? Oh Yeah!

Contact Information

(512) 550-7918
anna@selfcaretodaytomorrow.com