Typically, Saturday’s aren’t that much different from weekdays for me.

The biggest difference is instead of getting up at my normal time of 4:30 a.m., I sleep in until 6:30 when the dogs pretty much insist I get up and attend to their needs. I then meditate, workout, write a blog, and work on the list of things I have set for myself that are helping me move towards my goals, or are taking care of household or others needs.

I’m not complaining. This is by choice and I love getting things done on the weekend.

But today has been a much more gentle and self-nurturing Saturday. My husband, David, attended to the animals this morning and I was luxuriously able to turn over and go back to sleep. After meditating and working out, I came downstairs to find David making healthy pancakes (you can find the recipe in the Eating for Life cookbook), and we had a wonderful time enjoying breakfast together while admiring the backyard we have been working to landscape. I then did some reorganizing in the kitchen that I’ve been itching to do for a few weeks, but just hadn’t given myself the time to do.

This much more relaxed Saturday morning is just what my body, mind, and spirit were asking for. I’m glad I gave myself this extra time—and that David stepped in to help facilitate it. And really, my blog isn’t going to be coming out that much later than it normally does on the weekend, and I have a feeling that being a little more refreshed will enable me to get more of my to-do list done.

How often do you create a schedule for yourself and become unwilling to deviate from it? How much does your inner critic judge you if you allow yourself to sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, or just stop and enjoy the moment?

There’s a sweet spot of setting goals and challenging yourself to do and be more, and listening to your body, mind, and spirit and giving yourself time to relax, recharge, and connect on a deeper level.

The schedule and goals that we set for ourselves might be best viewed as guidelines instead of rules. They are helpful for moving us forward but can begin to chafe if they are too rigid or regimented.

Having the energy and well-being to take care of others comes from our ability to first take care of ourselves. This means that we must find ways to be loving, understanding, and flexible with ourselves, and to do what we need to fulfill our own needs when we recognize them.

What are you doing to take care of yourself today? How does lightening up on yourself actually give you more energy? What difference does this make in your ability to give to others?

Together we can do it!