Several times a week I hear a flight attendant talk about how I should put my oxygen mask on first before helping those around me. I know that is a good analogy for how I should take care of my family and professional life as well, but honestly, that is not what happens. While I am being honest, I should mention that I am often in an exit row and if that plane goes down I will be helping others by leading the way off. (So maybe airline emergency safty isn’t that great of an analogy.
I am bad about taking care of myself last. Too many times it has been work first, then family, then myself. That is why I will be having at least two surgeries this year (and possibly more if I opt to get my teeth fixed). I have had my license suspended or almost suspended multiple times because I have not taken time off work to go take care of it. I rode my motorcycle unlicensed for 9 months for the same reason. Those examples are just the low hanging fruit. The point being that I put off taking care of myself.
One of the hopes I have for the travel I am doing is that I should have plenty of time to take care of myself. Now all I have to do it make it a priority. I stay at hotels with gyms. I have the time, money, and opportunity to eat healty (with a little planning). I can countless hours alone to spend in meditation and taking care of tasks.
The problem is that there is so much that I want to do that I am not doing anything (for myself) really well. I am starting to feel grateful for this opportunity and I think that is going to result in a better use of my personal time. I guess we will see.
