The non-negotiables - where everyone should start! For me: an hour in the morning to read or do yoga or write my diary (wherever my wake-up energy is tending!), then a walk with my dog before breakfast. No inbox-checking after 5pm. Every week, I include ‘one new thing’ - this could be visiting a place I’ve never been to, trying a food I’ve never tried, doing an activity with people I’ve not met before or a different activity with people I know. There’s always a little frisson!
Ah, thank you for helping me to see these things through this frame - it's so valuable! And you helped galvanise my first proper Substack post. I love this community 😊
I wish I read this when I was still running my business, I constantly put myself last and I feel sad about that now. Not only in my business, but also with friends and family too, I did not prioritise myself. Time for change! I realise how silly that was now, and how amazing how long I lasted with that approach! It was never sustainable. Thank you for your wisdom.
Such a great reminder Astrid! And so timely too. It seems the world is reminding me that I need to re-establish my non-negotiable as well as. I just finished reading “Bumpers” by Nic Peterson (a wonderful quick read) and then your newsletter popped up in my feed. Paying attention to these messages and heading out for a morning walk! I feel so much better and am more productive when I put myself first.
Thanks Astrid for the reminder! When being really honest with myself, my only non-negotiable is not starting to work before 9 am. Maybe I need to figure out what needs to be added to that list, as I've been a bit exhausted over past months and never seem to find the time for what I enjoy (yoga, walks, time spend with my senior horses, reading, journaling,...).
Thank you for your comment Mareike! The exhaustion you describe sounds like a good sign to add the other things you need to your list, one at a time :)
Funnily, I encouraged myself to do a bit of yoga on Saturday evening (which was great) and got a migrane attack on Sunday evening (in time for the very busy, upcoming week), because of which I had to call in sick for two days. 🙈 I guess that's all a calling for non-negotiables 😬
Such important reminders. I wrote a long post on my Facebook page last week in which I sought to remind people that we can’t be everything to everyone; boundaries and non-negotiables are importantly, in fact I’d say they’re essential.
Thank you for sharing Your Artist Knows the Way as a favorite! I love it too, and am so grateful for all your help getting it into the world.
I love reading about your non-negotiables. It all makes sense. And I think when we are not fueled by youth in our 20s and 30s these considerations are required.
I have been taking a 30-minute daily nap for about a year now, and I love how it resets my energy. I lie on my Shakti Mat, which I absolutely love. It helps me completely relax and drop into a deep sleep. I wake up refreshed.
This is such an important reminder! Thank you! I will be making a list this weekend and blocking out some time for at least one non-negotiable next week.
That’s an excellent plan Allyson! We so often tell ourselves that we don’t have the time, but I’m often surprised at how I do have the time to take care of myself.
Thanks for this reminder: "But the thing is: you don’t need to earn this space for yourself in your business. You already deserve time for yourself, you need time for yourself." It has before been my habit to postpone this acknowledgement of what I need and want until I felt deserving. But I know deep down that the human in me and the entrepreneur in me deserves the chance to know this type of self-attention personally. Your mentoring clients surely have a wonderful companion!
The non-negotiables - where everyone should start! For me: an hour in the morning to read or do yoga or write my diary (wherever my wake-up energy is tending!), then a walk with my dog before breakfast. No inbox-checking after 5pm. Every week, I include ‘one new thing’ - this could be visiting a place I’ve never been to, trying a food I’ve never tried, doing an activity with people I’ve not met before or a different activity with people I know. There’s always a little frisson!
What lovely non-negotiables Michelle, thank you for sharing! I love the 'one new thing' too ✨ Thank you for commenting and sharing!
Ah, thank you for helping me to see these things through this frame - it's so valuable! And you helped galvanise my first proper Substack post. I love this community 😊
You're so welcome Michelle and so exciting that your first post is now out in the world! 💪🏻
I love this idea of 'one new thing' !!
Thank you, Bonnie - I so appreciate this comment. It helped me finally put my own first Substack post together 😊
I wish I read this when I was still running my business, I constantly put myself last and I feel sad about that now. Not only in my business, but also with friends and family too, I did not prioritise myself. Time for change! I realise how silly that was now, and how amazing how long I lasted with that approach! It was never sustainable. Thank you for your wisdom.
Such a great reminder Astrid! And so timely too. It seems the world is reminding me that I need to re-establish my non-negotiable as well as. I just finished reading “Bumpers” by Nic Peterson (a wonderful quick read) and then your newsletter popped up in my feed. Paying attention to these messages and heading out for a morning walk! I feel so much better and am more productive when I put myself first.
Thank you Sheryl for your comment and I love how you went out for a morning walk ✨ Have a lovely rest of your week :)
Thanks Astrid for the reminder! When being really honest with myself, my only non-negotiable is not starting to work before 9 am. Maybe I need to figure out what needs to be added to that list, as I've been a bit exhausted over past months and never seem to find the time for what I enjoy (yoga, walks, time spend with my senior horses, reading, journaling,...).
Thank you for your comment Mareike! The exhaustion you describe sounds like a good sign to add the other things you need to your list, one at a time :)
Funnily, I encouraged myself to do a bit of yoga on Saturday evening (which was great) and got a migrane attack on Sunday evening (in time for the very busy, upcoming week), because of which I had to call in sick for two days. 🙈 I guess that's all a calling for non-negotiables 😬
Ugh, yes, sometimes our bodies force us to take a break even if we don't want to. Hope you're feeling better!
Such important reminders. I wrote a long post on my Facebook page last week in which I sought to remind people that we can’t be everything to everyone; boundaries and non-negotiables are importantly, in fact I’d say they’re essential.
Thank you for your comment David, and such a coincidence that you wrote on a similar topic just last week :)
Thank you for sharing Your Artist Knows the Way as a favorite! I love it too, and am so grateful for all your help getting it into the world.
I love reading about your non-negotiables. It all makes sense. And I think when we are not fueled by youth in our 20s and 30s these considerations are required.
I have been taking a 30-minute daily nap for about a year now, and I love how it resets my energy. I lie on my Shakti Mat, which I absolutely love. It helps me completely relax and drop into a deep sleep. I wake up refreshed.
Your nap sounds glorious Cynthia! Have a good rest of your week :)
This is such an important reminder! Thank you! I will be making a list this weekend and blocking out some time for at least one non-negotiable next week.
Oh exciting! That's a great plan (and if you want to, do share what it will be!) ✨
Mine is taking a 1 minute stretch break whenever I need it. It’s a way to reset the “I don’t have time to …” voice.
That’s an excellent plan Allyson! We so often tell ourselves that we don’t have the time, but I’m often surprised at how I do have the time to take care of myself.
Thanks for this reminder: "But the thing is: you don’t need to earn this space for yourself in your business. You already deserve time for yourself, you need time for yourself." It has before been my habit to postpone this acknowledgement of what I need and want until I felt deserving. But I know deep down that the human in me and the entrepreneur in me deserves the chance to know this type of self-attention personally. Your mentoring clients surely have a wonderful companion!
Thank you for commenting Cheniece and for your kind words, and I’m so pleased that this was a timely reminder for you ✨