Self Care Shine
Why oh why do we think it’s selfish to take superb care of ourselves? I don’t think that…anymore.
Why oh why do we think it’s selfish to take superb care of ourselves? I don’t think that…anymore.
This is one of the many inner changes that came from traveling on a motorcycle for 23 months. (More on that here if you haven’t heard the story.)
I make way less money now than I’ve made in decades and yet, I spend more on self care than I ever have. Crazy, right?
As we prepared to return from our travels in South America last year, I remember thinking to myself, “I wonder what would happen if I committed to taking awesome care of myself for a year?” I daydreamed of joining a yoga studio, getting back into running, getting regular massages, eating well, and not overloading my plate with “to dos.” It hasn’t turned out exactly as I had envisioned, but it looks pretty close and the results, almost a year later, have been shocking. Here are a few:
On the inside, it feels like I’m on my own side.
I trust myself more often to do what I say I'm going to do for myself.
I do my best to tend my energy rather than spend it until it’s over spent.
None of that familiar whine, “I’m soooo tired.”
I feel good in my body, stand taller, thrill in nudging myself further in yoga.
Now I think of self care as the special sauce for success!
I’m not preaching; I’m learning right along with you. Of course I’m not perfect at this, that’s not the aim. I’m with myself for the rest of my life so it just makes good sense to take care of myself. Why oh why is that such a whacky concept for us to get our heads around? Now it’s your turn…
What do you do for basic self-care?
Now kick it up a notch. What does superb self-care look like for you?
I double-dare you to try it for 3 months, 6 months, or a year!
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
I help individuals make the jump from wishing to doing, and professional teams transform from awkward tension to potent interaction.
Here are 2 offerings for you. Give yourself the precious gift of time to learn more about who you are now and what's most important to you.
Women's Symposium located in Lincoln City, OR on June 23rd.
Befriend your Creative Self located at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology near Lincoln City, OR on August 12th.
Explore all the details and, as always, you're welcome to contact me with your questions.
Another Person's "Why"
If two people have the same goal they want to accomplish, does it matter if they have different reasons for why they want to do it? I’m talking about the kind of “why” that animates your motivation.
Keith and I riding near Futaleufú, Chile
If two people have the same goal they want to accomplish, does it matter if they have different reasons for why they want to do it? I’m talking about the kind of “why” that animates your motivation.
My husband and I grappled with this lately. We both wanted to improve an aspect of our relationship but our reasons why were different.
Admittedly, when I first heard the reason why it was important to him, I didn’t like it one bit, and I took it personally. Thankfully, I gave myself time to roll it around in my head. Hours later, I had this realization.
As long as we want the same outcome, the “why” that leads us there doesn't matter to me. Stick with me on this.
It was helpful for me to understand his “why” but it didn’t have to match mine. In other words, I want to hear about the other person’s “why,” what’s motivating them to achieve our mutually agreed upon goal. However, I appreciate that the reason “why” that drives each of us doesn’t have to match up in order for us to achieve our end goal.
How could this perspective of “why” be useful in your relationship scenarios?
Next time you’re working with another person to reach the same goal, ask them their “why” and share yours. Get curious about how knowing each other’s “why” helps (or hinders!) you, so you can achieve what matters most to both of you.
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
I help individuals make the jump from wishing to doing, and professional teams transform from awkward tension to potent interaction.
Here are 3 offerings for you. Give yourself the precious gift of time to learn more about who you are now and what's most important to you.
What's Next Workshop located in Newport,OR at our vibrant 60+ Activity Center on May 19th.
Women's Symposium located in Lincoln City, OR on June 23rd.
Befriend your Creative Self located at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology near Lincoln City, OR on August 12th.
Explore all the details and, as always, you're welcome to contact me with your questions.
Cultivating Proprioception
"What?!" That's what I thought when I first heard the word "proprioception" in yoga recently. Then, I learned what it meant and now, it has been weaving throughout my awareness in surprising ways. Curious?
Proprioception means asking yourself, "Where is my body in space?
"What?!" That's what I thought when I first heard the word "proprioception" in yoga recently. Then, I learned what it meant and now, it has been weaving throughout my awareness in surprising ways. Curious?
It means sensing the position of your body parts. It sounds simple, and yet how often have you been unconscious of your body's position when bending over to clean house or garden (and strained your back) or typing on the computer (and ended up with knots in your shoulder muscles)? Being aware of the position of our body parts helps us take better care of our remarkable human bodies.
The meaning expanded further as I noticed sensations inside my body and connected them with situations on the outside, such as communication. For example, I've felt a knot in my diaphragm (just above my stomach and below my ribs) when I'm feeling intimidated/small/not enough in a professional networking situation.
As a result of noticing the physical sensation, I have learned that it's a signal for me to internally press pause. I can choose to take a deep breath, center myself, and communicate authentically from my true self rather than from a wonky emotional state.
Next time you're in an uncomfortable situation, pay attention to your body's sensations. Get curious about the connection between your physical feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Then choose your action.
This is one of the many methods I use in helping my coaching clients reconnect with themselves to reach their goals. It's all connected! Right? Our bodies have wisdom to share with our minds.
What sensation do you feel in your body right now?
Where is it? How does it feel? What might it be trying to tell you?
This proprioception thing takes practice! However, when it works, it's pretty cool to deepen the connection between the physical, intellectual, and emotions parts of ourselves.
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
P.S. Thank you to Gabe at Harmony Yoga Studio for opening my mind and body to this concept!
I help individuals make the jump from wishing to doing, and professional teams transform from awkward tension to potent interaction.
Assessments reveal the “how” and “why” behind your actions and emotional intelligence, indicating your ability to manage your emotions and their effects on others. We will work together to build skills in the areas you choose. The super-special sauce drizzled over our entire adventure is purposeful, heartfelt coaching.
Why am I doing this work I love? After completing an epic motorcycle trip from Oregon to the southern tip of South America, I am determined to support people in their leap across the border from, “I wish I could.” to “Yes! I did it!”
Executive & Personal Coaching • Professional Development • Personal Workshops
JaleneCase.com • (541) 272-2337
Seeing the Next You
There will be times when we're in the ugly duckling stage of becoming the next version of ourselves, and we can’t clearly see what that next self will be. If we're lucky, we get a glimpse of it. It feels like, "Yes! That's the kind of woman I want to be!" That's the kind of experience I had this week.
There will be times when we're in the ugly duckling stage of becoming the next version of ourselves, and we can’t clearly see what that next self will be. If we're lucky, we get a glimpse of it. It feels like, "Yes! That's the kind of woman I want to be!" That's the kind of experience I had this week.
I attended a conference for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) California. Why California? I was connected with a phenomenal woman, and the next NAWBO California President, because we both use the same assessments with businesses. She nudged me to attend (love that kind of serendipity!). Her name is Mindy Bortness, President/CEO of Communication Works and she is a brilliant, loving force of nature! Thanks to her, I experienced much more than simply what was on the agenda.
I got to see the next version of myself more clearly than ever! Through interacting with fellow entrepreneurs, I felt in my core, "This is my tribe! This is the playground I want to play in! I belong!" In the afterglow of the conference, I notice that I'm clear in the action I'm taking and pushing myself to step up my game.
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
I took this photo on my walk through a park in Sacramento during the conference. It brought to mind the sense of seeing the new through the natural, like seeing the next version of me, through the current one.
Where is your new tribe and how can you place yourself among them?
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
I help individuals make the jump from wishing to doing, and professional teams transform from awkward silence to potent interaction.
Assessments reveal the “how” and “why” behind your actions and emotional intelligence, indicating your ability to manage your emotions and their effects on others. We will work together to build skills in the areas you choose. The super-special sauce drizzled over our entire adventure is purposeful, heartfelt coaching.
Why am I doing this work I love? After completing an epic motorcycle trip from Oregon to the southern tip of South America, I am determined to support people in their leap across the border from, “I wish I could.” to “Yes! I did it!”
Learn more: Executive & Personal Coaching • Professional Development • Personal Workshops
Let's connect: LinkedIn • Facebook • Twitter
Contact me: JaleneCase.com • (541) 272-2337
Practice Sparks Passion
This morning I delivered my very first speech at Toastmasters. I joined the group because I wanted to improve my public speaking skills. Pretty straight forward and kind of mundane, right? Maybe, but in the three short months between starting in January and speaking today, something big inside of me changed.
For several weeks, I’ve been struggling with exactly why I’m in this group. Today, after being reminded once again to project, so that everyone can hear me, I know. I don’t need to simply speak louder. I realized that the real reason I joined the group is this: I'm ready to strengthen my voice and use it to join the many people who make positive contributions in our world. I found my real "why!" Even more importantly, I could feel the spark of my "why" in my heart.
The next ah-ha that flooded through me was that just like practicing yoga has strengthened my body, practicing speeches will strengthen my voice. And, the sweet, dark chocolate sauce drizzled on top of the whole experience was that I knew the feedback I received from my fellow Toastmasters was exactly what I needed to hear as I began my journey through this new doorway toward speaking publicly. Suddenly I thought, "How cool is this?! I don't need to find places to speak to practice. I can practice right here and receive constructive comments to boot!"
Practice. It's not sexy, often not fun, almost always humbling and yet it's at the crux of expressing our passion from the core of our true selves.
What are you practicing?
Know that whatever you're practicing, that is what you're getting better at doing.
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
P.S. Thank you Yaquina Toastmasters!
I help individuals and small businesses clarify their vision, build stronger connections with themselves and others, reach the results they want, and find more joy and satisfaction along the way.
Let's connect at: JaleneCase.com • LinkedIn • Facebook • Twitter
With my monthly blog posts, I dig into topics related to leading ourselves so we can get what matters most done.
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Places & Products I Love
Learn about our motorcycle trip from Oregon to the southern tip of South America.
I LOVE being part of the Oasis community to help me get my scary sh*t done.
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I LOVE the Insight Timer app because it makes meditation easy.