Setting Clear Boundaries and Scheduling “Joy Time” After an MS Diagnosis
Self-love is defined as regard for one's own well-being and happiness. I am wondering if you have taken a moment to consider your self-love?
What if you made loving YOURSELF a priority?
What would that look like for you?
Maybe it means getting a massage or maybe it means meditating more, writing loving affirmations to yourself, or setting boundaries in your schedule.
One thing I like to do is literally set aside weekly time in my calendar that I call JOY TIME for whatever I feel like doing that week that brings me joy.
Recently it was an acupuncture session. Another time it was time spent with my husband setting up his new office. Next week it will probably be alone time at the beach with our dog, Hawk.
Take a moment and think about what YOUR joy time looks like. Then set aside an hour to bring more joy into your life. You can decide in the moment or plan ahead for something really fun. It can be a big undertaking or something simple and small. You might just want time to rest or practice your self healing meditation techniques. That’s okay, too. Just make sure your joy time is all about YOU and not someone else’s agenda.
Setting uninterrupted joy time for ourselves is an example what I like to call Setting BoundarEASE! As MSers we tend to be really hard on ourselves, but what would it look and feel like if we could go EASY on ourselves? What if we could set BoundarEASE in every area of our lives and let things be a bit easier?
Here’s a boundary setting trick I love called 'Close Your Cloak.' I learned this tool from spiritual teacher Gabby Bernstein. Whenever you feel like you are being bombarded by someone else's negative energy, envision yourself wrapping your body in a big cloak and remind yourself to CLOSE YOUR CLOAK! It’s that simple.
You could be at lunch with a friend whose energy is negative or in a meeting with a colleague who is a total “Debbie Downer”. When you feel someone impacting your energy in a negative way, just close your cloak. It is super important to protect your energy and set both literal boundaries in our schedule and energetic boundaries as well. Our multiple sclerosis symptoms are connected to our emotions and our energy. If someone or a situation is bringing you down emotionally and exhausting your energy, it is possible for MS symptoms to flare. Try this awesome simple tool to protect your energy physically and spiritually.
Ideas for Joy Time
Joy time is a sacred hour or two you take out of your week to do something that delights you, recharges your battery and reminds you that despite being diagnosed with MS, there are lots of fun, joyous activities you can do. If you’re stuck on ideas, take a look at my list of suggestions:
Get a massage or book another type of healing arts for MS (such as acupuncture, reiki, fascia work)
Try practicing MS healing meditations. Here is an example of a meditation I lead with my women’ts MS support group, The MS Stage. It’s called Getting to Know the MS meditation. Listen here!
Writing loving affirmations to yourself like “I am healing,” “I am worthy,” or “My desires matter.” Post them where you can see and repeat them daily.
Set boundaries in your schedule so you block out time for healthy meals, exercise and fun.
Make a chore or to-do list item more fun. I loved spending time with my husband getting his new office set up because we did it together.
It’s also important to spend time alone. Take a walk, go for a bike ride, or simply sit in the park and enjoy being around nature with your bare feet planted in the earth.
Turn off your phone and read a book or watch a movie uninterrupted
Sing, play an instrument, attend a live performance or dance in the kitchen to your favorite song. Music is food for the soul
Do a project, some gardening, mending, or another task that you’ve been neglecting. Finishing a small task can be a great confidence and mood booster
Learn more about The MS Stage!
If you’re interested in coming back to your true essence, The MS Stage is a 12-week guided experience to claim your “hero’s journey” with MS. Our signature program is a women’s MS support group that includes weekly Zoom calls, bonus content and additional resources, and access to our community of women who are also taking control of their MS journey alongside you. We can’t wait to have you join us inside The MS Stage - click the button below to learn more!