Do YOUR best, not THE best. – Being optimistic and realistic is a great mental health tool

I’m not quite sure if I am a full time perfectionist, but I DO know I approach the world as a type A person. That said, I do a LOT. I tell myself it isn’t, and my loved ones tell me I should cut down and focus but I can’t. I like to think what 20-25 year old me started will be 30,40,50,60+ year old Me’s legacy.

I am trying now more than ever to take it easy. Mental health days, listening to my brain and body… and just doing what I can with what I have – especially if I need to ask for help or outsource.

Some things I keep in mind when I beat myself up for not building Rome in a day.

• know that what you see on the internet is not always what is actually happening.

• focus on being disciplined vs. finding motivation.

• I look at how I talk to myself. Self-talk is a good thing, but it needs to be positive!

• Gratitude: In the KNC Sanguine journal there’s a section where I write my gratitude daily.

·       Schedule your life like meetings. Follow Pomodoro for 25 minutes a session, per task.

I also am looking or more moments that arouse contentment. I use this for periods of calm and comfort bringing a period of peace to soothe my nervous system. This looks like sunrise walks, waking up early to snuggle in bed, visiting family and not thinking about my life, period. Finding or creating these moments grounds me in ways money won’t buy me. (which is ultimately what all the work is for- including this blog post.)

I remind myself:  it isn’t about motivation, it’s about discipline. This doesn’t mean burning myself out- it means I am finding ways to balance how I feel with what I do and framing my mindset.