I think I write about this every single year, but January and February tend to be my least favorite months, despite January being my birth month. These months are dark and gray and cold, and as someone that thrives on longer days filled with sunshine, flowers, and time spent outdoors, these 60 days are not my favorite. I will really get in a funk if I'm am not super intentional about filling my days with purpose and joy.
This year, I chose "committed" as my word for the year and set specific goals related to staying committed to nourishing my body with foods that fuel it, drinking more water and physically getting stronger, writing my next book, being more present and fun, having more game nights with my girls, and also being committed to finding and creating joy again in my job as a nurse practitioner.
I'm sure I don't need to tell most people this, but the last 2 years have been challenging, and working in healthcare and education has been brutal. If you thought that 2020 was hard, 2021 was even harder as we worked through several waves of Covid with less staff, less support, less supplies, and less joy. To some people, we went from healthcare heroes to "part of the problem." We were caught in the middle of a political debate, doing our best to follow protocols and provide safe evidence-based care with limited resources and constant changes, leading to a lot of burn-out, not just in healthcare, but in education and other jobs heavily affected by the pandemic.
As a writer and content creator, I often write and create what I need to hear in hopes that maybe someone else might need to read or hear it too. And that's where the idea of the February Fill your Cup Challenge came from. In 2020, I wrote a book all about filling your cup (Fill up to Spill out, Because we can't pour from an empty cup) and I continue to feel passionate about the idea that we can't lead well, love well, or serve well if we are not intentionally filling our cups each and every day. During this pandemic, it has never been a more important time to take care of yourself- physically, mentally, and spiritually.
On February 1st, I challenged my clinic, my husband's school where he serves as the principal, and my community of followers to fill their cups each day for all 28 days of the month. If you followed along on social media, then you saw my daily posts and hopefully felt inspired to do some of the things I suggested or come up with your own ways to pour back into yourself and create daily habits to continue long after the challenge was over. If you missed it, or want a refresh so you can do your own challenge any month you choose, here were the 28 days!
1. Choose a book to read this month and commit to reading 5 pages a day. Learning is growing!
2. Set a fitness goal for the month such as a daily walk, going to the gym 3 days a week, or running 30 miles and start today! Moving your body is not only good for your physical health, but an excellent way to cope with stress. Love your body, move your body, challenge your body!
3. Eat a fruit or vegetable at every meal today. You've got to nourish to flourish! Choose to live a healthy lifestyle, using food as fuel and not therapy.
4. TGIF.. take some time to unwind by watching a movie with popcorn at home.
5. Enjoy a walk or run in nature. Sunshine and nature is therapy!
6. Set yourself up for the week by meal planning and prepping to get ahead. One of my favorite things to make on the weekend is a batch of nutrient-dense Super Hero Muffins.
7. Walk into Monday with a positive mindset. Write down 5 things you are grateful for. A daily gratitude practice helps keep you grounded in what matters most.
8. Listen to an inspiring podcast during your morning commute. Listen to learn, be inspired and encouraged, and to be entertained along the way. There are so many great podcasts!
9. Hydrate your body. Drink 64oz of water today and feel the amazing benefits.
10. Eat a big salad for one of your meals today. Veggies are best.
11. TGIF.. Enjoy a nice long shower or bath and use the good stuff!
12. Spend time cleaning, decluttering, and organizing a space today. Outer order equals inner peace. Do something now to make tomorrow easier.
13. Make plans to do something nice for someone tomorrow. Kindness has a ripple effect.
14. Happy Valentine's Day. Enjoy an extra special meal dining out or staying in.
15. Take time to schedule appointments for yourself- doctor, dentist, eye, hair etc. Your health and self-care must be a priority.
16. Drink a protein shake for one of your meals today. Add your favorite protein powder, almond milk, ice or frozen fruit, and blend!
17. Start taking a multivitamin daily. Take care of yourself so you can stay well for others.
18. TGIF... Make yourself a relaxing cup of tea or pour yourself a glass of wine. Cheers!
19. Spend the day doing some of your favorite things. Everyone needs a hobby. Life is a journey with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most of all experiences to enjoy, and hobbies provide just that!
20. Make a big healthy pot of soup or chili to have some meals for the week.
21. Wake up 1 hour earlier and ease into your day. Less rush, more calm. Mornings are my favorite way to carve out time for myself before the busyness of the day.
22. Make a playlist of your favorite songs. Music is motivating!
23. Treat yourself to something you have been wanting like some new running shoes.
24. Commit to making your bed every day. Your nighttime self will thank you, and your daytime self will be motivated to change the world, just by starting the day accomplishing something small.
25. I changed this one to fill your cup with work friends as we said goodbye to a co-worker. Work friends are important as we spend 8-10 hours of our day with these people.
26. Call or text a friend today, make plans to do something fun. We all need community. Find your tribe and love them well.
27. Set your coffee pot up to brew in the morning. Your morning self will thank you. Mornings are better with coffee.
28. Celebrate a full month of filling your cup! We have the power to change our day when we make time to fill our own cups!
"Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what's left of you." Katie Reed
Keep filling your cups, friends! ~ Allison
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