Have you ever kept track of your good days and bad days? If so, what at the attributes of the good days, the events that make up the bad days? What is your ratio of good days to bad days? Is there a seasonal component to this ratio or a weekday/weekend difference? I'm thinking about this because I like what I can achieve on a good day versus a bad day. I also feel a lot better on a good day and generally can be a better teacher, parent, spouse, friend, sibling, child and all around individual on a good day.
For all of us the details that make up a good day versus a bad day will differ, but I suspect that these categories will play a role:
For all of us the details that make up a good day versus a bad day will differ, but I suspect that these categories will play a role:
- healthy, good food
- some time for recreation, fun, movement
- camaraderie
- me-time
- good rest
- comfortable, safe surroundings
- a general feeling of competence and confidence
As I think of these categories, I wonder how I can support what I need for a good day--what routines help me to meet my needs with regard to the categories above.
Questions like these may steer me in the right direction:
- What are my favorite healthy foods?
- What foods are leave me feeling unhealthy, unhappy?
- What do I enjoy doing? What activities leave me feeling happy, energized, positive?
- Who do I enjoy spending time with, and what do we do together that is positive, life enriching?
- What kind of me-time do I need? How much? What time of day?
- How can I make the places where I live, work, recreate, and spend additional time places that are comfortable, inspiring, welcoming, safe, and enjoyable?
- What do I do that supports a sense of competence and confidence? Who are the people in my life that support those critical feelings?
As I ponder slowing down life and making my days more intentional, these questions stir in me. Hopefully these questions will nurture more good days than bad as I move ahead in my days.