Sunday Mornings.......

Ruthie Lanigan
Aug 15, 2021
3 min read

This picture we took in Negril, Jamaica reminds me of my Sunday mornings. Beautiful, calm, relaxing and slow paced.

My Sunday mornings have become so special to me. It's pretty much the only time I allow myself to shut down and do nothing. It's my time to practice self care and relax in whatever way I want. Sometimes I write, sometimes I watch television, sometimes I walk. I just do whatever I want.

I gave a coworker a ride to the airport the other day. When he got in my car he said "Hard hat, yoga mat and briefcase. I love it". It made me stop and think about how diverse my life is. It also made me laugh. I run around like crazy during the week and most of the time on Saturday. But I've realized I need to shut down sometimes. I have learned that self care is really a "thing" and I needed to start practicing it.

I've started to recognize how important it is to take care of yourself. The term "you do you" has become one of my favorite terms. Kind of a "live and let live" term. I have spent so much of my life trying to please others, changing that pattern to think about myself takes a little time. But awareness is the first step! Some of the things I have been doing for self care are:

Yoga: I have tried doing yoga a couple times in the past but it never stuck. In May, I found the perfect place. Right here in Mt. Juliet. Unity Yoga in Mt. Juliet! I go there multiple times a week and it is amazing! I love the studio and I love the people. I can't say that I'm good at it but I can tell I have improved since I started.

Walks: Since I was a little girl, walking has always been a way for me to relax and calm my mind. It just feels good to breathe in the fresh air and see nature. We have a great walking path in our neighborhood and I can easily get in a 6 mile walk. Sometimes Jim goes with me and we solve all the world's problems or sometimes it's just me and my airpods. I listen to podcasts or a book.

Dancing/Music: Especially with Jim. For years we have been doing what we call Sunday Morning Dancing. I'm not sure how it started but we dance together on Sunday mornings. We may listen to Dave Matthews if its a nice quiet morning or Red Hot Chili Peppers if we need to get movin'! Music has always been an important part of my life and moving your body to music is even better. You don't have to be a good dancer to dance. Just move! You can do it anytime and any place.

Ask for help!: This may be one of the most important things I have learned to do. I have learned to ask for help. I have realized I, personally, do not have to do everything. This is really hard to admit but I used to assume that people knew I needed help and would get upset because they didn't help me. This could be emotionally or physically. I thought the other person was purposely choosing not to help me. Bad assumption! Now, if I feel I need help, I ask for help. It's such a different mindset to know I don't have to do it alone.