As someone who has been fighting with depression and anxiety for the vast majority of their adult life, I fought with self-improvement for a long time. It seemed like so much “self-help” that I grew up with found deep roots in criticism. Criticism is deeply triggering for me, and often leaves me feeling exhausted and morose.
It staggers me when I see people who can take it in stride and swiftly implement changes. I am not one of those people.
When I began to realize that my fear of criticism was leaving me in arrested development, I knew I needed to approach it in a way that was self-driven and motivational. So, for the past few months, I’ve been trying something a little different.
#ResetSaturday.
What does that mean to me? It means doing whatever I need to do to reestablish my truth – to motivate me back into my optimum head-space so that I can lay out another productive week.
But I don’t fill myself with empty promises, or structure myself with rewards. I don’t go to the spa, or treat myself lavishly. I don’t treat myself to junk-food, or subdue my anxious mind with a few glasses of wine.
#ResetSaturday is not about taking it easy and patting myself on the back. It’s a period of serious reflection where I ask myself a bunch of tough questions to refocus my determination.
Here’s a list of questions for you to take some time and ask yourself today to reflect back on your week and readjust for the week ahead.
- What were my successes?
- Did I fail to achieve to the standard I hold myself to?
- Do these standards need to change, or does my work ethic need to change?
- Was I at all disappointed with my hustle this week?
- Did I express joy in my work?
- Did I give people enough of my time this week? Who needs more from me? Who needs less?
- What did I say “Yes” to that I should have said “No” to? What did I say “No” to when I should have said “Yes”?
- Have I forgiven myself for where I went wrong this week?
- Have I expressed self-respect for all the things I did right?
- Am I expressing gratitude for all of the incredible things I have done and are capable of doing?
- Am I procrastinating/hesitating around hurdles in my work? Do I have someone in my life who can help/teach me?
The most important aspect of #ResetSaturday is that it comes from a place of self-love. I don’t ask myself these questions because I’m a disappointment who is looking to point at my failures.
I am taking this time to reestablish discipline because being productive makes me feel strong.
I am taking this time to recalibrate my direction because I can only continue my journey if I know where I’m going.
I am taking this time to reinvigorate my spirit because my body and mind can not do the work if my heart and my soul can not answer the call.
#ResetSaturdays ensures to me that next Saturday, I will be stronger than I am today and gives me pause to measure that growth.
How do you “Reset” for the new week?
Drop Me On Mars 