Be Your Own Priority

There will never be another human being who will value us more than we value ourselves. We all need to have a place on or own “To Do” lists. For too long, my degree of happiness was commensurate with how important I was to someone else. I sold my joy in exchange for the opinions of strangers. Today I invest in my happiness. I make it a priority and I make sure to prioritize the things that make me smile. Monetarily, I make a 10% “contribution” to my wellness and every month I take at least one day to disconnect from the world. I decide how I spend it, where I spend it, and whom I spend it with. I am happiest when I have nowhere to be except where I choose to be which is usually in my maker’s studio creating something special.

I think everyone deserves to own a piece of his or her day and since January 30th is “National Plan a Vacation Day”, this may be the catalyst you need to get yourself (back) on your list of priorities at the top spot! Considering the prevalence of so many preventable stress-related illnesses like hypertension and diabetes, rest and relaxation are no longer luxuries. They are necessities- ones you need not put off any longer. Sadly, about a quarter of American workers get no paid vacation leave at all and more than half of those who are fortunate to earn vacation time, don’t even use it. So, mark your calendar and plan to start taking better care of yourself. I don’t care what you do just don’t do what you always do which, if we are being honest, is not much at all. Bon voyage!

©Tasha D. Manigo-Bizzell