Category: Self-Care

Self-Care/

Goodnight, Grind: Setting Boundaries for a Better Evening Routine

As a copywriter and video storytelling strategist who also markets my business, personal brand and digital magazine, I’m no stranger to all of the day-to-day demands that comes with being a creative.

I’m sure you’re not either. You’re always pouring your hearts and soul into your work. But as Christians, it’s important to remember that our ultimate goal isn’t just to achieve success, but to glorify God in all that we do. And that includes setting boundaries and protecting our time in the evening.

Why? Because if you don’t then you’ll start to feel the effects of burnout – which is a common problem for a lot of entrepreneurs, especially those in creative fields. It’s the feeling of being overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected from the work that you once loved. And one of the main causes of burnout is a lack of boundaries. When we don’t set boundaries and protect our time, we can easily fall into the trap of working all hours of the day and night, leaving little time for rest and rejuvenation.

But as Christian creative entrepreneurs, we have a unique opportunity to combat burnout by setting boundaries and protecting our time in the evening. When we set boundaries, we’re able to prioritize our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. By getting enough rest, staying connected to God, and enjoying our evenings, we’re able to recharge and refresh ourselves. This helps us to avoid the feelings of exhaustion and disconnection that often lead to burnout.

Additionally, by setting boundaries, we can prevent ourselves from overworking and overcommitting. We can prioritize our time, energy, and resources on the most important projects and tasks, instead of spreading ourselves thin. We can also learn to say no to projects or tasks that are not aligned with our mission and values, which is essential to avoid burnout.

So, let’s chat about some ways you can start setting boundaries for a better evening routine.

First things first, let’s make sure you’re actually carving out dedicated time for rest and relaxation. This might mean setting aside a few hours before bed to unwind and de-stress, or it could involve setting aside a specific day of the week for some much-needed R&R. Whatever works best for you, the important thing is to make sure you’re giving yourself the time and space you need to recharge your batteries. Trust me, our business (and your sanity) will thank you.

Another way to set boundaries and protect your time in the evening is to limit your screen time. We love our screens as much as the next person, but that blue light can really mess with our sleep patterns. By cutting back on screen time in the hours before bed, we can help ensure we get a good night’s rest. And who doesn’t love a good night’s sleep?

Now, it’s not just about us – it’s also important to set boundaries with others. It can be tempting to try to do it all and respond to every email or message as soon as it comes in. However, you’ve got to remember that our work is only a part of who we are. By setting clear boundaries and letting others know we’re not available to work after a certain time, we can protect our time and energy for the things that truly matter. This might mean setting office hours or establishing a policy of not responding to emails after a certain time. Whatever works for you, the key is to establish clear boundaries so we can fully disconnect from work and recharge in the evening.

Without dedicated time for rest and relaxation, you’re putting yourself at risk for burning out and losing motivation.

Simply put: Setting boundaries and protecting our time in the evening is super important for Christian women creative entrepreneurs.

By setting boundaries and protecting our time in the evening, we can take care of ourselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally, which will help us to be more effective and efficient in our work.  And by doing so, we can glorify God in all that we do.

 

Self-Care/

Need Help Navigating Grief During the Holidays?

The holidays can be a time of reflection, celebration, and fun, but they can also be a time of loss. The death of a loved one is never easy, but when it happens during the holiday season it can seem even more difficult to handle.

While I think about my parents every day, since I lost them, the holiday season can be difficult if I don’t really tap into the things that can make the season a bit smoother for me. Over the years, I’ve found ways to handle the holiday season without them, thanks to God’s grace and strength.

Allowing yourself time to grieve is normal.

It’s a natural reaction to loss, and you’re not crazy for feeling this way. You might feel sad, angry, numb or like you’re going crazy. It’s hard not to wonder what happened if your loved one died suddenly or young of an illness—or at all!

It’s also easy to feel isolated in your grief because other people may not understand how you feel, or they are afraid of saying the wrong thing around you. Even if they do know how to help you through it, they may still be unsure what their role should be during such a difficult time (and some will offer support in ways that can actually make things worse).

Talk about your loved one.

Talking about your loved one with other people in your life like friends or family – or even strangers who you happen to have a random conversation with. Maybe that stranger you bump into at the grocery store or Target, brings up something about a particular loved one in their life and it makes you think about yours. It helps you to process, remember and honor the life of your loved one. You can also talk about your loved one with anyone who shares similar values as you do.

Look for ways to give back to the community.

Volunteer at a local shelter.

Volunteer at a food bank.

Help out with a community event.

Volunteer with your church.

Donate to a charity.

Get Creative

Create a scrapbook of memories that includes pictures and notes from friends and family members. You could also make a book about their life, with photos and notes written by people who knew them well.

Write a poem or story about your loved one’s life, then share it as you wish to. If this seems too sad for you right now, don’t worry—you can always save it until you’re ready.

You can also cook or bake a dish that you enjoyed with your loved one during this time of the year. In 2021, I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner. The food consisted of everything I enjoyed from my mom’s kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. I also like to make certain desserts like banana pudding that I loved my mom to make.

Find a way to simplify your holiday season this year.

This is a time of year when many people feel more pressure to overbook themselves. It’s also when you may be tempted to try to do every holiday tradition that you did last year, even if it means being away from home or working on Christmas day. It’s important not to feel guilty about taking time for yourself, whether that means taking an afternoon off or spending Christmas Eve on the couch instead of doing all the “holiday” things. And for goodness sake, don’t be pressured into buying tons of gifts. Rest in be still in God’s word. Reflect on His word.

Oftentimes, I love to listen to worship music and hymns that I enjoyed singing with my parents. One of my favorite memories from my dad – at any time of the year was waking up on the weekends to hear him singing hymns while making breakfast.

You’re not alone if the holiday season brings up difficult emotions for you; grief is an individual process that everyone experiences differently. For many people, the holidays are a time when they feel particularly vulnerable because they feel pressure to act happy and festive around other people who don’t know what they’re going through inside. It’s okay if this year’s holiday festivities don’t go exactly as planned—in fact, sometimes it’s better if they don’t!

The point is to honor yourself by taking care of yourself during this difficult time so that when January rolls around again (and beyond), you’ll be ready to start fresh.

I hope this post has given you some ideas for surviving the holiday season as a person who has lost someone they love. The most important thing is to remember that there is no one “right” way to handle grief; everyone deals with it differently.

Curious about what I’m learning every week on my creative journey as it relates to faith, self-care, and entrepreneurship?

Click here subscribe to my weekly newsletter, “Letters for the Virtuous Creative.”

Self-Care/

6 Journal Prompts for the Holidays

The holidays are a time of year when feelings run high, and emotions can be intense. So, if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed during the holidays, try writing out your thoughts and feelings. I’ve found that writing prompts have helped me work through strong emotions in my past.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. What important lesson has this year taught you?

The holidays are a time to celebrate what we have, but they’re also a time to reflect on the year past. What did you learn from this past year that will help shape who you are in years to come?

What did you learn about yourself as a person, or about life in general? How do those lessons apply to your future plans and goals?

2. What types of memories have brought you the most joy this year?

The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, but they can also be a stressful time.

This prompt will help you focus on the positive memories you have this year, so that you’re not overwhelmed by stress during the holiday season.

3. How can you use your experience and skills to be of service to others over the holidays?

The holidays are a time of giving, so why not get involved in the community and give back?

You’ve heard it before: it doesn’t have to be Christmas for you to be kind. But if your schedule allows for some extra good deeds this month, consider using your skills and experience to make someone else’s life just that much better.

4. Have you ever tried a new holiday tradition and incorporated it into your yearly plans? What happened?

If you’re like me and don’t have many traditions, it might be time to try something new! Get creative and come up with something fun that will make this season even more special.

5. What role does gratitude play in your life? How does it impact or change during the holidays?

Gratitude is a powerful tool for making your life more positive. Gratitude helps you:

Feel better

Be more positive

Be more mindful

Be more generous

Be more empathetic

6. Who has had the biggest impact on your life this year? Why have they helped you so much and how can you show them your appreciation?

You should think about people who have helped you, but also include those that have challenged you in some way. If there’s something in particular that they’ve done to help improve your life, describe it and explain why it was important to you.

Think about how to show this person that their efforts were not in vain by giving them an appropriate gift or gesture of gratitude. Don’t worry too much if it’s not something big. Small gestures are sometimes more meaningful than large ones!

Writing down what’s on your mind may help you work through strong emotions.

When life gets overwhelming, writing can be a safe way to express yourself. You can use it to work through strong emotions and get clarity on what you’re feeling or thinking.

Writing may help you deal with negative emotions, such as anger or sadness. It may also help you understand your feelings better if they aren’t clear to you at first glance.

Curious about what I’m learning every week on my creative journey as it relates to faith, self-care, and entrepreneurship?

Click here subscribe to my weekly newsletter, “Letters for the Virtuous Creative.”

Self-Care/

How to Overcome Seasonal Depression

This is the time of year when many people feel sad, anxious, and overwhelmed. It’s normal to have low energy when the days are shorter and darker, but if you’re feeling more than just a bit down, you could be suffering from seasonal depression. I personally, don’t like how the sun goes down super early during the fall and winter months. Usually around 4 pm, my entire mood dips.

Maybe you feel the same, which is why I thought to encourage you with this blog post.

Let more sunlight in.

Now that we’ve established the importance of sunlight, let’s talk about how you can get more of it. Get outside as much as possible. You don’t have to go on a long walk every day, but a few minutes outside is better than nothing.

If you can, maybe open up the windows and let some fresh air in your home. Even if it feels like winter outside, your body needs fresh air! Go for a walk in the park (or somewhere else green and natural). Even if you’re going slow, just being outside will make you feel better!

Accept your feelings and be patient with yourself.

Accept your feelings. It’s important to realize that your emotional struggles are real and valid. If you don’t feel like yourself, or if your mood has changed drastically, it’s okay to allow yourself to accept this and feel the way that you do. Don’t be too hard on yourself; self-compassion is especially important during this time of year as it can help alleviate feelings of shame or guilt (which are often associated with seasonal depression).

Be patient with the process. It may take some time before seeking professional help feels like an appropriate step for you—and that’s okay! There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to addressing seasonal depression, so be patient with yourself and give yourself permission not just to accept what you’re experiencing but also explore different ways in which treatment could work best for you (whether through therapy sessions, medication support from a doctor/psychologist or both).

Have a routine and stick to it.

A routine can help you feel more in control of your life, and can give you something to look forward to each day. For example, make sure your routine includes some time for relaxation or meditation. It’s also a good idea to include regular exercise—even just 20 minutes per day can have a big impact on how good you feel overall.

Try to make your routine as realistic and achievable as possible. For example, if getting up early every morning makes it hard for you to sleep at night, try waking up 15 minutes earlier than usual instead of half an hour earlier.

When picking out what part of your routine will be most beneficial for overcoming seasonal depression symptoms, consider finding activities that are enjoyable and relaxing for both body and mind (e.g., reading).

Get moving

If you’re feeling the effects of seasonal depression, you should know that exercise is one of the best ways to combat it. Not only can it help improve your mood, but it can also improve your sleep and reduce stress.

Keep calm and get creative.

Many people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder find that it’s helpful to stay calm and get creative with a few creative hobbies. I personally have an adult coloring book – and I also like to practice hand lettering. A few other creative hobbies that you can also try are cooking, writing, or playing an instrument. And when it comes to keeping calm and relaxing, pick up a book or watch one of your favorite movies.

Work through the feelings of seasonal depression gently, with self-care and compassion for yourself.

Don’t let seasonal depression get you down! It can be hard, but it’s also manageable and treatable.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of life, especially during the holidays. But getting depressed or anxious about it won’t help you cope. Instead, you need a plan for how to deal with seasonal depression and anxiety so that you can feel better.

Curious about what I’m learning every week on my creative journey as it relates to faith, self-care, and entrepreneurship?

Click here subscribe to my weekly newsletter, “Letters for the Virtuous Creative.”

Self-Care/

Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

As you work on building in daily habits that will make you more successful, one of the skills you need to practice and habituate is saying no more. For the next month or so, start saying no to something at least once a week. The way to choose what to say no to is to check your goals, look at your schedule, and ask yourself what you really want.

If something leads you to reach your goals and fits your schedule, saying yes is fine, but if it does not provide any value to you or does not fit into your schedule right now, say no.

Danielle Delaney

If an action leads you to reach your goals and fits your schedule, saying yes is fine, but if it does not provide any value to you or does not fit into your schedule right now, say no.

Here are some reasons and ways that you can say no more often.

If You Already Know Say So

Sometimes you simply know that you don’t want to do something no matter what. Instead of putting people off or saying yes just to avoid the issue, start saying no right away.

Think About It

You don’t have to give people answers right away about anything. This can help you reduce the pressure on yourself to say yes to anything. Start making it a habit always to thinking about something before you give a definite response. For instance, don’t be afraid to be honest and say “Let me check my schedule. I’ll get back to you by 3 pm on Friday with my answer.” This way, they can wait patiently, and you can ensure that you want to say yes or no.

Always Check Your Schedule

Even if your first thought is that it’s something you want to do, you must always check your schedule before saying yes. You may be over booked already, and even if you’re going to say yes, you need to say no. Doing this will ward off burnout. Stretching yourself too thin is bad for you and everyone else that depends on you too.

Curious about what I’m learning every week on my creative journey as it relates to faith, self-care, and entrepreneurship?

Click here subscribe to my weekly newsletter, “Letters for the Virtuous Creative.”


 

Self-Care/

5 Ways to Declutter Your Mind Today

Sometimes, life is just too busy. Maybe you find yourself frustrated when it comes to wondering how you can possibly get all the important stuff done. Sometimes I feel this way too, so you’re not alone. I get it! And your answer is pretty simple: Declutter your mind. In this blog post, I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to declutter my mind. I’m confident that these tips will help you clear out the clutter and make room for more productive thoughts as well.

Have some quiet time alone

You can reduce stress and anxiety by taking time to unwind.

Pray – Prayer allows you to get closer to God and tap into clarity and discernment.

Take a walk – Get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy nature.

Get enough sleep – It’s hard for you to think clearly when you’re tired or stressed, so make sure you get enough rest before tackling any big projects or stressful tasks.

Manage your time better

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to declutter their minds is not managing their time properly.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed and overwhelmed, it’s easy to forget about your schedule or simply not have one at all—which means that a lot of the work you do will go unfinished.

If you want to organize your thoughts and clear out some brain space, make sure that you plan out what needs to be done each day as well as how much time each task should take.

Delegate and ask for help

Delegation is an important part of your decluttering process, but it can be difficult to know where to start.

The first step is asking for help from people who are good at what you need done. And by the way, don’t be afraid of being assertive when delegating tasks. Be sure to also follow up with those subordinates after completing those assignments so that everything goes smoothly!

It’s crucial that everyone involved has clear expectations about what needs to get done.

Set short-term goals

Setting goals can be a powerful way to get your mind working toward a clearer, more productive and happier state.

Setting goals helps you focus on what really matters in life, prioritize what’s most important to you and achieve more by having a clear outline of where you want to be. Short term goals are an excellent way of keeping your mind clutter free because they give you something that feels achievable in an otherwise overwhelming world.

Short term goals can be as simple as:

  • Reading 1 chapter per day from a book on decluttering your mind
  • Going for a walk every day (even if it’s only 15 minutes)
  • Progressing in a new skill once a week

Be kind to yourself

It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget to give yourself a break.

You can start by being kinder to yourself, whether it’s for a mistake you made or for something that didn’t go as planned. Giving yourself some time out of your day to do something you enjoy will help make everything else seem less overwhelming.

Be kind to others too! It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes down to how much we have on our plates at any given time, but don’t compare yourself with other people and don’t get down on them when they’re struggling with their own problems or just having a rough day – we all need each other!

A decluttered mind is a productive mind

When your mind is decluttered:

  • You’ll be able to focus on what’s important, rather than worrying about things that don’t matter.
  • You will make better decisions, because your mind won’t be cluttered with unnecessary information that could cloud your judgment.
  • You will concentrate on tasks at hand instead of getting distracted by other things like social media.

The key to decluttering your mind is being aware that you can do it.

Danielle Delaney

You might feel like you’re drowning in a sea of thoughts and emotions, but the truth is that we all have the ability to clear out our minds if we try hard enough.

The first step in this process is recognizing that there is room for improvement, which can be done by creating space for yourself by setting aside time each day just for yourself or taking regular breaks throughout the day, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Once you know there is something wrong with how cluttered your brain feels at times when trying to complete tasks, start working on ways to clear out all those thoughts as quickly as possible so they don’t interfere with what needs doing right now.

Curious about what I’m learning on my creative journey as it relates to faith, self-care, and entrepreneurship?

If so, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, “Letters for The Virtuous Creative.”

Click here to subscribe.

Our Latest YouTube Videos