Have I ever mentioned before how much I love birthdays?
How many days do you take out of the year to celebrate the fact that you’re alive, and have other people join in on the fun with you? Not to many, I’d bet. But your birthday is the one day designed to be all about you!
Before every birthday, I usually find myself in an incredibly reflective mood. Thinking about things that I used to do, plans I’ve made, dreams I’ve dreamt and goals that I’ve accomplished. I always get excited for the future around this time as well, wondering what another fresh year of life will bring.
Maybe I’m feeling especially excited this year, because I’ll be turning 21. Milestone birthdays always bring a sort of buzz with them, don’t they?!
To prep myself to step fully into this new phase of life, I’ve decided to spend the next 21 days being extremely self centering. Not self centered meaning I believe the entire world revolves around me, but self centered… Rachel put it perfectly in this post on self-centered women.
I’ll be taking photos, and sharing little notes and reflections around social media using the hashtag #21DaysOfSelf.
Some self-centering exercises I’ll be practicing:
– Morning Pages – First thing in the morning, take a few minutes to write in the stream of consciousness, whatever’s on your mind. This allows you to safely and freely release those first emotions to clear your head and prepare for the day.
– Physical activity – Long walks, and finally getting back to the gym.
– Meditation – For ten to fifteen minutes at a time.
– Gratefulness and thankfulness lists – Weekly.
– Self portraits & photos – Just photo-journaling myself and my surroundings. Celebrating my exterior self as much as I’m nurturing my internal self.
Each sunday, at the end of my Sunday Morning Coffee posts, I’ll share a short recap of what self-centering activities I focused on, and I’ll do a complete round up here on the blog for my birthday! Also, at the end of the week, I’ll share some detailed insights on the And Yes To Joy Facebook page. I hope you’ll join me over the next few weeks in taking some time to get self-centered! Remember to share on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #21DaysOfSelf
What activities or practices do you do when trying to get self centered? Do you focus on self-centering?
Love this idea! I get self centered when I just want to have a ME day and not do anything else.
I was thinking the same things today when I wrote up my birthday and positive mental attitude blogs. I love this idea so much and can not wait to see what you are doing. And yes I love your description of being self-centered. I always compliment myself through a short list of things that I am great at and tell myself that I am beautiful even when I take a crazy self portrait. I am learning to focus on self-centering much more now than I have in the past. I believe that was my weak link to having a happy, healthy life.
I’m also that way, becoming really reflective right before my birthday. I like thinking about what I’ve done in the past year and what I would like to accomplish within the next year. My birthday is right about New Year’s so it’s just an overload of reflection haha! Focusing on self-centering has been on my mind lately, but I haven’t put it into practice yet. I love the idea of writing your thoughts in the morning to clear your head. I’ve never thought about doing it in the morning. That’s definitely something I will have to try someday soon.
I love absolutely love this idea!!! Im also this way when a new year rolls around
since ive had my daughter my shower is my self center time.. but i did do morning pages for a long time and think its so great and love all of the amazing as well as funny ideas that come out. If you ever read the Artist Way- another great thing in that book is having an artist date- which always is a good idea.
I love this! Definitely going to try it.