Photo Credit: T. Halcomb
Today’s Try This At Home post originally appeared on Ember Grey. After a great vacation, I returned to a horrible case of Kentucky allergies. (Sometime I have been blessed not to have over the past few years). Thus, the last week has been a struggle and I’ve had to practice this tip multiple times a day. It’s been a challenge and I haven’t been successful at times but I have tried. I feel that many others can benefit from this also.
The tip I would like to share with you today is Treat Yourself Like a Toddler.
Take a moment to think about your favorite toddler. Perhaps you have one right now or you can easily see one at the grocery store or the mall. There have been a few times in my life when I’ve witnessed a toddler breakdown and wished that I could do the same.
As adults, we plan for a toddler’s needs. We know when they need to eat, when they need to sleep and when something may be too much for them. If a toddler is sick, we do not hesitate to call the doctor. Sadly, as adults, we quickly stop thinking about our needs and often find ourselves grumpy, angry and easily annoyed with everything.
How many times in your adult life have you not eaten breakfast or any meal because you didn’t feel you had time? Do you regular push yourself past your bedtime because you feel you will accomplish more but then wake up the next morning exhausted and cranky?
Unfortunately, as adults we tend to stop focusing upon our needs. Particularly, women often view themselves as selfish if they take time. Sadly, not taking time can lead to many other problems on an emotional and physical level.
Here are some things I want you to consider:
- If your toddler is sick, you don’t hesitate in going to the doctor. As an adult, we often push through thinking we know how to medicate and we don’t have time.
- When your toddler becomes cranky and moody, you often go into another room and attempt to soothe them. As adults, we rarely remove ourselves from situations and often hold these emotions in.
- Adults plan for toddler’s snacks and meals. Rarely does a parent leave the house without a variety of snacks and something to drink. Many adults do not think about their hungry needs throughout the day and may eat irregularly or not at all.
- We encourage toddlers to have a bedtime routine. Adults often neglect any type of bedtime routine.
- Parents find it important to schedule toddler playdates but adults can often go months without seeing their friends.
Some suggestions in regards to treating yourself like a toddler is to think of yourself in third person. For example, Sheryl isn’t feeling well today and needs to stay home. (I struggle in this area of my life as I have always pushed past not feeling well and felt my clients and others were needing me.)
Although I do struggle in the area of pushing myself when I don’t feel well, I will state I have established a healthy routine in many areas.
- I make sure that I eat on a regular basis. Each day I make sure to have a variety of snacks (almonds, a piece of fruit or paleo bar) in addition to my lunch.
- I’ve established a more regular bedtime routine. This also includes shutting off electronics at a certain time each night.
- I have become better in knowing my limits and not forcing myself to do things I don’t have time for or simply don’t want to do. I’ve learned that saying no is as important as saying yes.
Take sometime today to think of yourself as a toddler. What do you need? Are you tired? Have you eaten like you should? Do you need some time for play?
Your inner toddler is as important as any other toddler in your life.
Are you able to treat yourself like a toddler?
Try This at Home is a weekly series focusing upon tips and suggestions to make your life easier and happier.
The post Treat Yourself Like a Toddler appeared first on How to Make a Life.