Have you ever just sat down and taken a moment and realized that you made some bad decisions because you are at a point in your life that’s not becoming of you, making you feel like you failed? Our overview of what’s happening is right in front of us, and it’s also what’s not. We should be taking a grand overview of the entire picture. Also, ask ourselves questions like, are you the type that looks at success with the material things people receive? If you haven’t realized it yet, there is another side of success that people don’t discuss. It’s the sh..! You will have to go through to come out the other side. You must decide to keep going at it before you even start, reap the benefits, or see any profit.
We shouldn’t live in the past because it’s over. Therefore, we must live in the present and ask ourselves, “what are you willing to bear to see your goals come to life?” Everything will not be served on a silver plate with all the goodies for you to eat. Yes, it would be good if things were like that, but it isn’t.
You will go far if you take the time to figure out your mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, environmental, and vocational well-being. Instead, many people work, work, and work like a car speeding to a red light. Sometimes you want to scream out, “slow down!”
Life is hard; therefore, you need to figure out some things before you decide what you can or cannot do. For example,
How is your mental well-being? Your mental well-being is something you do not sacrifice, and you maintain and nourish it. Mental wellness is, according to the World Health Organization, “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to his or her community.”
How is your physical well-being? A person’s physical well-being is maintaining a healthy quality of life, allowing us to accomplish our daily activities without experiencing exhaustion or physical stress. We need healthy habits like exercise, good sleep that consist of 7 to 8 hours, sexual health, and nutrition.
How is your social wellness? A person with an excellent social wellness lifestyle is capable of communicating and intermingling with other people; in our community. Knowing you can, you maintain a healthy relationship.
How is your spiritual wellness? According to northwestern.edu, “spiritual wellness is defined as expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life, including one’s morals and ethics.” Do you even feel like you have a sense of purpose in life? Or, you are a walking zombie just going through the day in a repeated routine?
How is your vocational wellness doing? We all want to make a positive impact, but many of us don’t know what that looks like because we feel we don’t have the resources. Vocational wellness is being able to satisfy yourself and feel you are filled with your work, having a work-life balance, and positively impacting the communities and organizations at your job. Many of us have that five-year inch that lets us know our work is not fulfilling.
What are your self-actualizing goals? And how are you going to achieve them? Ask yourself what will make you a better version of yourself. Carve out some lifestyle goals for yourself to be happy with yourself. To love and care for someone, you must care for yourself. Take some time and figure out what will make you a better you. Would you date yourself if you had a chance?
How good is your financial wellness? What’s the basic level of earnings you need for survival? Once you figure out what you need to survive, maintain a home for yourself and your family. You can budget out what other things in your life you can sacrifice to achieve your goals. If your finances are not together, you add stress that affects other areas of your life.
How is your environmental wellness? Do you even know what it is? According to the University of New Hampshire, it is “creating or finding spaces where you live, work, and study that help you feel motivated to reach your goals.” like taking a walk or run through central park, which provides good exercise and allows you to clear your mind.
What are some leisure activities and vacations you take that will allow you to achieve your goals? Inspiration is everywhere, every corner you turn. Suppose people would open up their eyes to see. We all need a break from our environment, work, family, and friends. This break will give you the fuel you need to keep pushing. Sometimes you can get this break not too far away from home or far away in another land, but you must ask yourself, what is feasible for you to do so?
Once you figure out where you are personally, you can figure out what you can endure and not endure to achieve any goals you are striving for like. Audre Lorde states, “I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.” We all are trying to survive, and I can not bear anything if I don’t know where I stand in my wellness. Therefore, self-care is necessary!