CHAPTER 5: FIVE ESSENTIAL NEEDS FOR FEELING GOOD WORKSHEET It s important to be aware of where your I feel good energy your good energy goes and what you need to do to replenish it. In order to retain a full Cup of Blessing, you must keep Powerful Parenting Message #1, It s crucial to pay attention to me, in mind. Take thirty minutes and find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted and discover what you have to do to start to reclaim your good energy. WHAT DRAINS YOUR GOOD ENERGY? Parenting is draining, especially when you re parenting a teenage daughter. And then there are plenty of the normal everyday drains, both major and minor. Write them all down. ARE ANY OF THESE DRAINS UNNECESSARY? HOW CAN I AVOID THEM? Look at what drains your energy. Are all of these activities necessary? Can they be avoided? An unnecessary drain could be anything from staying up late watching a bunch of episodes on Netflix (minor) to getting in a big argument with your daughter (major).
WHAT TRULY REPLENISHES YOU? No one can answer this question but you. This question is personal to your likes and delights. What replenishes you is often meaningful and touches your heart and soul. 1. What gives me I feel good energy is... 2. I feel the most alive when... 3. What helps me relax is...
4. I feel like myself when... 5. What nourishes my soul is... 6. I m proud of myself when... FIVE ESSENTIAL NEEDS FOR FEELING GOOD We are going to revisit the five essential needs for feeling good: Foundational Needs, Maintenance Needs, Relational Needs, Personal Enrichment Needs, and Spiritual Needs. In each of the lists below, check the items that you are doing currently. What have you not checked? Those items need attention and care. For each category, write down one small action step you will take. FOUNDATIONAL NEEDS Taking good care of your physical body is foundational to your good energy. You feel good when you get plenty of sleep, have downtime and relax, eat healthy meals, and exercise consistently. Do you get between seven and eight hours of sleep a night? Do you feel rested when you wake up? Do you have downtime every week?
Are you eating healthy meals and taking vitamins? Are you drinking enough water? Do you exercise? How often? Are you current with your medical appointments? MAINTENANCE NEEDS The maintenance of both your personal life and family life are critical to preserving your good energy. You feel good when your home is decorated the way you like it, everything is in order, your papers are filed, and the clutter is gone. You feel good when your car is cleaned and vacuumed. Do you have enough groceries at home to feed your family for the week? Do you have a weekly meal plan? Do you keep up with the laundry? Do you like how your house is decorated? Have you recently de-cluttered your home? Are your appliances in working order?
Are you current with paying the bills? Are your important papers filed and easily accessible? Do you have regular hair appointments? Do you like your clothes? Do they fit you properly? Do you get your car washed and vacuumed regularly? RELATIONAL NEEDS Feeling loved and appreciated fills you with good energy. You feel good when you are relaxed and enjoying quality time with your daughter, your family, and your friends. Do you have downtime with your daughter daily? Do you have activities planned with your daughter that both of you would enjoy? Do you have consistant dates with your partner away from the kids? Do you see your close friends frequently? Do you go to networking events?
Have you made a new friend in the past year? Do you have a group of friends that you spend time with regularly? Do you return your friends emails and phone calls? Are you intentional about spending time with your friends? PERSONAL ENRICHMENT NEEDS Self-enrichment is the quickest way to get your spark back, and to find fulfillment and purpose in life. This includes expressing your creativity, challenging yourself physically, finding activities that are meaningful and rewarding, and traveling to new places. Do you spend time developing your creative gifts? Are you learning a new skill? Have you gone to a seminar or workshop in the past year? Do you challenge yourself physically? Do you plan activities that are fun for you? Do you have hobbies and interests that you invest in regularly?
Do you read fiction and nonfiction books consistently? Have you gone on a moms getaway weekend recently? Do you enjoy your vacations? SPIRITUAL NEEDS What better way to refill your good energy than by tapping into the source of all life and energy? You do this through prayer, meditation, inspirational reading, reflection, gratitude, worship, and basking in the beauty of nature. Do you journal consistently and make time for reflection? Do you spend time in nature walking through the woods, gazing up at the stars, or enjoying your garden? Do you have a meditation practice? Do you practice gratitude? Do you have daily times of quiet and stillness? Do you regularly listen to inspirational speakers and music? Do you have an active prayer life?
Do you notice the synchronistic moments in your life? Do you frequently have aha! moments? Do you make amends and say I m sorry? Do you feel love and compassion on a daily basis? Does your heart feel open and not heavy?