What Is In Service of You Today?

Hello Loves,

I hope this Sunday is treating you well and you've had the opportunity to rest and prepare for the week ahead.

Currently, I'm sitting at the dining table, drinking a blueberry smoothie and getting ready to make some lemon pepper wings in the air fryer. Yum!

But I was inspired to write this quick post before I head into the kitchen.

This morning, when I woke up, I did what I always do: grabbed my phone, read Cain's good morning text, and checked my YouTube studio. A routine that isn't exactly my favorite at the moment. As I sat there, phone in hand, I challenged myself to put it down, and ask myself a very important question:

"What would be in service of me today?"

This is something my therapist always asks me. Instead of asking what I want to do, she asks what would be in service of me and the situation. It's an interesting way of phrasing it that I hadn't heard prior to therapy, but I've found that it helps me tremendously whenever she asks me this question.

When something is in service of you, it is helpful. It adds, it doesn't take away. It contributes positively, not negatively. And as I sat there, phone in hand, I realized that staying in my pajamas, scrolling on my phone all day would definitely not be in service of me.

So I asked myself that question this morning. I then took out my journal, and wrote the various things that would be in service of making me feel the best on this lazy Sunday.

I looked around, and noticed a few things that needed to be taken care of. My laundry was piled darn near to my ceiling. Not kidding. I had coats that needed hanging in the coat closet downstairs. My skincare routine had been suffering quite a bit. And I looked out my window, and realized I'd love some fresh air. I also decided that it would serve my soul more to read today, instead of swipe on Instagram for hours on end. And that I would like to eat veggies, fruits and grounding foods today.

It was at this point that my best friend called to tell me that she accepted a nursing position at Stanford Medical!! While we chatted and caught up on the phone, I decided to get started on my list.

I did my full skincare routine and it felt so wonderful. Am I the only one whose skincare is the first to falter when mental health takes a downturn? It was nice to refresh my skin with my favorite exfoliating scrub, toner and vitamin c serum.

For my full skincare, watch this video!

Then, I took the time to do my morning yoga flow. It's saved on my Pinterest page in the "My Life" board and I've been doing it almost every morning for about two weeks now. It's so important for me to stretch in the morning, take some deep breaths and center myself for the day. But sometimes, for whatever silly reason, I just don't do it. I've found that in order for me to feel the best, I have to force myself to do certain things that I know are good for me, even when I don't particularly want to. This, and really any form of exercise are a perfect example of that.

Then, I decided that instead of my usual yoga pants and t-shirt, I would actually get dressed and get ready for the day. With Covid, it's been so hard to want to do this. It's far easier to stay in my pjs all day or switch from my morning sweats to my evening sweats. But today, I challenged myself to actually get dressed.

Am I going anywhere? No. But I needed to remind myself that staying in leggings all day is NOT in service of what will make me feel the best. I threw on some comfy jeans and a new sweater that Cain's mom got me for Christmas, and finished the outfit with a bow in my hair. Even though it's nothing lavish or elaborate, I feel more put together, and more productive.

Oh, I almost forgot! While all this has been going on, I also threw in two loads of that laundry that was turning into my own personal volcano.

I had brunch with my family, and made a healthy, delicious smoothie with blueberries, half a banana, dairy free yogurt, flax seeds, and greens powder and sat down.

So here I am, waiting for my dad to return from the store with my groceries so I can start cooking, and writing this blog post. And, to think, none of this would've happened if I hadn't taken that one second this morning to put my phone down, and ask what would be of service to me and my best self today.

With that, I want to encourage you to ask yourself the same. What is in service of you today? Whether it's a blueberry smoothie and a walk in the rain, or a mimosa and karaoke, I urge you to live in your truth on this day and do what's in service of you.

I wish you a lovely Sunday, and a peaceful week ahead.

xo,

F.