A few simple ways to get your groove back

When you glanced at your calendar today, you might not have even realized that today is a holiday. Well, look again, lady, cause it’s not just any holiday, it’s International Women’s Day – also known as a day of global celebration designed to recognize the crowning achievements of women over the past hundred years. In different regions the the celebrations range from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love toward women to a celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements. In the Land of Single Women, what better excuse to take time to relax, reflect and recharge than a day designed specifically to celebrate YOU? In the life of the average single woman, chances are, celebrations centered around you are hard to come by. You haven’t had a wedding yet, so no fun showers or parties or people throwing cookware and lingerie at you. You probably haven’t had a baby yet, either, so no pastel mints and bootie-shaped cakes and centerpieces made entirely out of diapers have landed in your lap, either. Other than that crusty cupcake your co-worker picked up from the day-old pastry stand for your birthday, you might not have had someone celebrate YOU since…well, since your sweet 16. Isn’t it time to break out the pinata and the party favors and get down to the business of honoring yourself just simply because you’re ALIVE?

Most women get so busy in their day-to-day lives, they are constantly waiting to exhale. It is essential to a woman’s health and well-being to recharge the batteries from time to time. It’s okay to just…breathe. It’s okay to sit on the sidelines sometimes and let others take the lead. In fact, it’s better than okay. It’s the key to a peaceful, productive life. No one can go, go, go all the time. Yes, you should be your best self, and yes, you should relentlessly pursue your dreams – but you also have to be willing to hit the pause button sometimes and take a breather. Enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Slow down. Smell the roses. And you’ll find a wonderful thing will happen – you’ll get your groove back!

In case you’ve forgotten how to just BE…here are a few words of wisdom from some uber fabulous females on simple ways to honor yourself this International Women’s Day (because walking in the footsteps of these stilettos is sure to lead you down the path to success):

1) Take a bubblebath. Light some candles, open a bottle of wine, and let the worries of the day wash away. In the words of Sarah MacLachlan: “I think a lot of contemplation happens in bathtubs. It does for me. Nothing like a hot bath to ease the tension and think about what’s going to happen next.”

2) Get a manicure/pedicure. Hey, don’t take it from me – take it from diva extraordinaire Audrey Hepburn: “I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe that loving is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”

3) Read that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for a month. Finding your spirit in the words of another is often the truest form of inspiration. “Books were my pass to personal freedom. I learned to read at age three, and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi.” -Oprah Winfrey

4) Get lost in the magic of a movie. It worked for Ingid Bergman: “Film as dream, film as music. No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.”

5) Write in your journal. Pouring out your heart and soul on a piece of paper can allow you the freedom to truly find your voice. “The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.” -Anais Nin

Whatever you do this week, take time out to honor yourself. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day. After all, if Sarah, Audrey, Oprah, Ingrid and Anais have one thing in common – it’s greatness. And greatness is more likely to be stumbled upon during your moments of reflection than your moments of madness. Think about it – Stella didn’t get her groove back in the middle of the workday – she found it on vacation! So take time out today and every day to vacate from your responsibilities and get back to the basics of YOU. Your inner goddess will thank you.