Tobi Bowen

Small Changes Do Make a Difference …

Yesterday’s journal entry:

Had a great day! Woke up late. Got on the treadmill for an hour. Ran over to the spa for a fabulous massage, manicure, and pedicure. Went to the mall—bought those great shoes I saw last week. Talked on the phone with Sandy for 3 hours!! Curled up in bed with a great book.

Too bad that was only last night’s dream – I wish it was my day! Oh well—maybe next week. …

Do you wake up in the morning—grab some coffee—get the family going—check e-mail—shower—and run out to the office? There just aren’t enough hours in the day. (Well, at least for me there aren’t!)

How much time do you really have for you? Time that’s really yours. Time to do what needs to be done to take care of yourself.

In a study done by Proctor & Gamble, women were asked about what was important to them. What they said was that their kids, home, career, pets, spouse, and themselves were important—in that order.

Most women would agree. We put our children first. Hmmm: your pet above your spouse? (Don’t admit that—even if it is true!) Why is it that we always put ourselves last?

There are just other things that we deem as more important than ourselves. Yet we are the cornerstone of our family, our home, and of our world, but few of us make enough time to make sure we’re ok.

The world of mass media has hopes of being able to sway you. In December, what are we hit with? Mega sales and the lowest price ever to join the local gym. Why? It’s time for you to make those big resolutions! The one time a year that you can reinvent yourself. Right?

New Year’s resolutions have been around since153 BC Why in 2006 does buying a new calendar still coincide with the one time a year that people make a big deal about changing their lives? Some of us do join a gym, we give up sweets, we vow to lose those 7 ½ pounds we gained over the holidays—the list is endless. Why do we have to wait to buy a calendar to make a change in our lives?

Today is just as good as any other day, isn’t it?

It doesn’t have to be about revamping your whole life—that’s just too insurmountable! Who needs more stress? Most of us know all too well the woes of a crash diet, and honestly: have you ever stuck to your New Year’s resolution? Make simple changes, the changes that you can manage.

Simple changes: You really need to find a way to make the time to be good to yourself. If that means getting your nails done, taking a walk, buying that cute dress you keep eyeing, eating a little better, calling your best friend or even just taking a bubble bath—make the time to do it.

Simple changes: It really is all about the small things! We’ve always heard “Good things come in small packages,” and “It’s the little things that mean the most.” You’ve said those phrases a million times.

We all love gifts—so break down and give an extra one to yourself!

Simple changes. Just make one small change today. Don’t think about it; just do it! Give yourself a gift! Just one thing; you can do that! Really, it’s not that hard. OK, splurge—do two things!

Here’s a great list of ways to make a simple changes:
• Eat more fruits & vegetables.
• Take one hour this week to do something relaxing.
• Use a lotion with sunscreen.
• Try to stick to the perimeter of the supermarket when shopping—stay away from processed foods.
• Put an emergency roadside kit in your car.
• Organize your junk drawer.
• Call an old friend and reminisce about the past.
• Call the doctor to schedule your annual Pap test.
• Keep a journal.
• Drink more water.
• Take a personal day for yourself.
• Sign up for a self-defense class.
• Eat more whole grains.
• Let go of an old grudge.
• Read a book.

There are a million more, but you get the idea.

If you’re not going to be good to yourself—honestly—who is? Just remember: it’s the small things that will make big changes in your life.