By Desi Bartlett

Desi Bartlett“Mom takes care of everyone, but who takes care of Mom?” This can feel like an overwhelming or daunting question. Sometimes it feels like you have to take care of everyone first before you can think of self-care, and all too often, mom becomes last on the list. Putting yourself first can sound selfish, but taking a few minutes each morning for your mental and emotional health can set you up for success. Beginning each day from a place of mental clarity and acting, as opposed to reacting, can set the tone for purposeful choices throughout the day.

A simple technique to do this is to wake up each morning, and before you even open your eyes, ask yourself, “what is the dream of my life?” Allow that vision to come to your mind. When you have a clear vision, notice how it looks, smells, sounds, and feels. Try not to judge it, change it, or censor it in anyway. Whatever comes to mind is the true answer. It might be exactly what your life already looks like, or it might be something quite different. If it’s what your life already looks like, then reaffirm your ability to stay present in the beauty of the dream that you are creating with your family. Breathe deeply into a sense of peace. If your vision is different from what your life looks like today, then ask yourself, “what is the first step?” Allow the answer to appear on the screen of your mind. Take note of the answer, as that will guide you throughout your day, and possibly your week or month.

If you have young children, you can practice your visioning exercise before they wake up or even better, while they are watching you. You will be a model for self-care and empowerment. Remember that the process should take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes, and protect that time with a healthy boundary that protects this morning ritual. Boundaries are not about saying no to others, boundaries are a way of saying yes to yourself. The more that you do this, the more that you stay consistent with your ritual, you will begin to trust yourself, as you would a best friend. This process builds trust in the relationship with self, which leads to self-confidence and self-empowerment. Knowing that you will always be there for yourself, to show up, to say yes, and to act instead of react, is the basis of self-empowerment.

Desi Bartlett is a practitioner of yoga and has shared her knowledge with hundreds of clients, ranging from A list celebrities, including Kate Hudson and Ashley Tisdale, to large corporate clients such as Equinox and the US Navy. She is also a 2x Author with her newest book “Total Body Beautiful” available online at Amazon and Target. http://www.desibartlett.com