Last Updated on September 16, 2024 by David Thomas
Dave’s Daily Detach
Life, as we all know, can get extremely hectic. As a Barber, Entrepreneur, Husband & Father, the demand for full attention can be draining. The long hours of standing, the deep convos, and the super dad requests from the family can take a toll. But at the same time, this is the life I chose.
Instead of saying it’s impossible or too much, I decided to find a solution. Self-care is now something that I prioritize. But what does self-care mean? Well, it looks different for everyone. For me, it’s taking time out of each day to recharge and take care of myself to continue serving others.
At the beginning of the day, I open my calendar and find the best time to dedicate one hour to this practice. Today I will share one of my favorite self-care techniques that I do daily with no exceptions.
Meditation
Meditation has helped me so much since starting my self-care journey. For me, the benefits constantly change. It helps me stay present and calms the chaos in my head.
For me, the best time to meditate is in the middle of the day.
I’ve tried it in my morning routine, but it always felt like I was going back to sleep. So mid-day is perfect. It resembles an afternoon cup of coffee or a well-needed nap. I currently use the Chopra app from Deepak Chopra. It’s loaded with meditation programs for all levels of practice. My favorite one so far is “Manifesting Grace Through Gratitude” by Deepak Chopra.
I’m currently on my longest streak of 62 days in a row. My goal this year is to do it every day in 2023.
UPDATE*
I’m currently reading “Wherever You Go, There You Are,” an amazing book that has taught me numerous mindfulness meditations without requiring you to depend on an app.
Mindful Eating
There was one point where I would work 8-10-12 hours straight. If I scheduled a lunch, I’d spend most of that time figuring out what to eat. Once that food got in my hand, I’d immediately scarf it down while catching up on Instagram posts, texts, and emails. I called myself being productive.
There are many benefits to mindful eating. It helps me slow down and allows me to chew my food. I also take a moment to look at my food with gratitude, as it is a blessing to have a good meal.
Reading
Reading has changed my life.
But with my hectic lifestyle, reading can easily reach the bottom of my to-do list. So I decided to add it to this mid-day routine. I finished the most books I had ever read last year. Reading is a nice change of pace to the day. It forces me to slow down to focus on one thing instead of scrolling the ever-changing timelines. Check out my favorites, and let me know if you have any suggestions to add to the list.
As I write this (2.26.23), I’m currently reading “Ego is the Enemy” by Ryan Holiday
Current read 9.9.24 – Built to Move by Kelly Starrett & Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Lastly…
These three things have helped me change my life completely.
This practice is NON Negotiable. The break allows me to tackle the second half of my day just like the first.
If you take away anything from this, it’s okay to take a few minutes away from your busy day to reconnect with yourself. Your body and mind will thank you, even if it’s just a few minutes of quiet thinking. I started with just 5 minutes a day back in 2018. Now it’s up to an hour.
You got this
Just start!