Now What?

Image Courtesy of Google Images

     I've figured out my financial plan.  I've made spread sheets and made thermometer charts.  I'm ready to fix my finances, but now what?  What am I supposed to do between paychecks?  I've always spent time worrying and planning for the next pay day.  Now that I know what I am doing when with my money, I'm not sure what to do with myself.
     It actually makes me very anxious to think I don't have anything to do.  I mean, even my house is clean.  What's left to focus on?  Well, I'm here to tell you it's time to focus on yourself and self care.
     What is self care?  Self care is self initiated and purposeful.  It is activities chosen by you that bring you happiness and renewal.  I found myself putting together these dots after I 1. made all my financial plans and 2. had a talk with my doctor about my eating habits.
     So here are where two roads converge.  My doctor had helped me adjust my diet around 2 months ago.  During my check up she asked how I was doing.  I told her that the after noon, after work, was my most difficult time not to eat.  I told her that with my under active thyroid, I'm tired most of the time, but at least during work I had to keep going.  Afterwork, there is nothing to make me keep going.  I'm just waiting for time to pass until it's time to make dinner for my family.  So, I eat snacks while I wait.
     My doctor suggested that I find an activity that renews my energy besides eating.  The act of eating is supplementing my happiness that I don't feel because I'm tired.  I eat, I have temporary energy, I'm happy.  I don't eat, I'm tired, I'm unhappy.  Sometimes I clean or I make plans, very organized activities that make me feel happy, and not hungry.  But, what do I do when everything is clean, and everything is organized, and planned for?
     My doctor suggested the usual, exercise, take a walk, read a book, just find something that gives me energy rather than takes my energy.  So, of course, I Pinterested activity options and found a lot under self care.  I was actually very picky about my activities.  I knew I did not want to clean, I did not want to exercise (I've already got a schedule for that), it had to be cheap, and it had to give me energy (or at least not take it).
     Here are my top 5:
1.  Pinterest
2.  Sit outside and watch the world.
3.  Draw with my oil pastel crayons.
4.  Watch a show.
5.  Play with my children.
     The last week I've been laid up because I threw out my back.  I've only managed to enjoy watching a show, but I look forward to doing other activities as I heal.  It took some getting used to, not doing anything, but after time I think I will learn to enjoy it.