Create a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From

“Set up a life you don’t need to escape from.”

-Unknown

The beautiful thing about life is that it gives you the opportunity to create exactly what you want. If you don’t really like the way something is, you have the choice and ability to change it. This sounds very simple but in reality change is not always simple. It’s hard and takes a lot of intentionality and time depending on the magnitude of what you’re changing. Something I always tell myself is, “Just because something is hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible.” You really can create a life you don’t need an escape from if you take the time to work at it. 

The changes you make doesn’t have to be glamorous or expensive unless you want it that way. Sometimes continually making time to do the things you enjoy is a great way to add a little freshness to your life. Taking time to take care of yourself is essential. Think about the last time you encountered or experienced something that refreshed your entire being. What was that experience for you? And how did that experience give you the extra boost you needed to keep moving forward in life? 

What if you created a routine that gave you a spark of freshness everyday? Or maybe twice a week? Find something fun and exciting to do that refreshes you and that you look forward to doing. With being in the middle of a pandemic you have to get creative with finding things you enjoying doing; but think of the difference this could add to your quality of your life. Once you get the foundational part of understanding the importance of making room for the things you enjoy you then have to determine how you want your life to look and what you want to incorporate.

In June of last year I remember spending two months in quarantine. During the time although it was hard in the moment, I had a lot of time to reflect and practice self care. Looking back I realize that, that time was really a game changer for me. My life hasn’t been the same since that experience. It taught me that importance of continually taking time for self care and creating a routine that helps me to stay refreshed mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Before that experience I was often overwhelmed with life and the many responsibilities. Being a stay at home mom, wife, and virtual teacher, with three kids, and one with special needs and so many daily responsibilities. I often have so many doctor appointments and therapy appointments throughout the week to attend with my kids plus trying to manage and take care of a household was overwhelming.

After my time from quarantine I changed the way I did life. Self care has become a non negotiable. I now have a day each week where my husband watches the kids while I have some hours doing the things I enjoy and he also has a day where he does the same. Everyday after the kids are in bed I make time for self care. Workouts , journaling, bubble baths, music, watching a movie, reading a book, are some of the things I enjoy doing. I don’t do these things all at once, I pick something different everyday no matter how small or simple it maybe. Making these adjustments has made a world of a difference in my life, marriage and relationships. I feel at my best mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically because I make time for myself to know exactly what I need. Having these times consistently has helped me create a life I don’t need to escape from. Does that mean my life is perfect? Not at all, actually no where close. It does mean I make time to really discover what I need to help me be my best and work out things in my heart that needs adjustment. I do feel very in tune with myself and know what I need to change and am constantly working to get better with God’s grace and His help. I promise you I am always growing and checking myself because I really want to be better and live in the fullness of who God created me to be.

Last year taught me that it’s possible to create a life you don’t need an escape from. It taught me that I am in charge of my own happiness and if I want better I can create better. Changing things and making adjustment to create a better life doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process and it takes time. It took me some time to create a consistent schedule to make time for myself. It also took me a lot of reflecting to really discover what I wanted and needed. What you want is possible! Don’t give up on it.

How does creating a life you don’t need an escape from look for you? What do you feel like you need the most? What’s something you currently try to avoid because of the stress it adds to your life? How can you change it? What every person needs maybe different but here are some tips to help you discover where to start:

1.) Determine what’s most important to you

What are the most important things in your life? Is it family, relationships, being alone, school, job, career, traveling, etc? Once you discover the things that are most important to you, you are then able to plan out exactly what you want to do. 

2.) Plan out exactly what you want to do

Make a plan of how you will spend time doing what’s most important to you. If you really enjoy being alone, plan out what you will do once you are alone so that you can look forward to doing it. If you enjoy being with your family and friends discover something fun that you can do together. 

3.) Create the time and space 

If it’s really important to you make time for it. You work so hard everyday, love yourself enough to know you deserve time to do the things you enjoy. No matter how much work you have to do, make time to be refreshed. Being refreshed will give you the extra boost you need to go the extra mile. 

I hope this encourages you to make time for the things that keep you refreshed. Life is too short to constantly be overwhelmed. Take time to discover what you need so that you can have what you need to keep moving forward. Thanks so much for reading.

What is something you do to get refreshed? How does a life you don’t need and escape from look to you? I would love to hear your thoughts comment below.