Stop and Smell the Roses

Sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. We often get so caught up in our everyday lives and pouring ourselves into others that we neglect ourselves. This neglect can lead to burn out and worsen our overall mental health and relationships. If we don’t show up for ourselves, how can we show up for others?

With this said, we have to learn to take time for ourselves and slow down to smell the roses. What do I mean by “smell the roses”? Taking the time to rest and partake in activities that bring us joy and fill our souls.

Here are a few activities I have found to be personally beneficial:

• Stop and Do Nothing – Although this may seem like a no-brainer, allowing your body and mind to rest and doing nothing of consequence is incredibly rejuvenating. You can sleep in all day or spend all day lying in the sun at the beach.

• Spend Time Outdoors – Being outdoors whether it’s drinking coffee on the patio or taking a walk or run while your body soaks in the vitamin D can change your whole mood and turn you into a new person.

• Do Something You Like – As we get lost in the hustle and bustle of life, we tend to forget to do the things that bring us joy. Cooking a new recipe, re-reading your favorite book, or painting are just a few examples.

• Talk to Someone – Catching up with an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while or venting to your mom about the daily grind is guaranteed to lift your soul up. It is not uncommon for us to despair in our problems. Taking the time to reach out to somebody and talking through your problem is incredibly helpful. Being able to articulate your thoughts and feelings to another person is freeing and validating when that person person acknowledges your hardship.

• Volunteer – Taking the time out of your day to volunteer for a cause you support will fill you with a sense of altruism and accomplishment. It can be an especially nice feeling when you connect with like-minded people over a common goal, such as animal conservation or supporting an arts program.

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How do you take time for yourself? Do you find it difficult to stop and smell the roses in the busy world that we live in? What activities do you do like to do or can you do when you need to stop and smell the roses?