Happy Birthday, America!
There is so much going on this week. Aside from our country’s birthday, Mercury is scheduled to go retrograde July 7th. While Independence Day is my favorite holiday of all, (What could be better than a holiday in which you can wear shorts, spend time with family, and not have to spend a fortune in time, money, or energy preparing?!), I absolutely am not a fan at all of Mercury retrograde. The slow-down period of the astrological transit, while great for reconnecting with old friends and loved ones not seen in a while, is not so great for the operational side of life. Communications go haywire. Mechanical problems crop up. And, overall, the period generally drives a shift in refocusing on challenges most of us would like not to have to deal with on the regular. It’s like the Universe is saying, “No, you can’t pass Go right now. You must navigate these obstacles before moving forward.” Needless to say, I really hate that part!
While Mercury retrograde only lasts 21 days, we start seeing evidence of the impending period of challenge beforehand. I’ve been noticing it for the past couple of weeks. Last week four clients canceled appointments, and this week most of my clients have canceled. While it’s understandable that competing commitments arise (like holiday festivities), it is disappointing to see so many putting aside the commitment toward self care, as if it is completely forgotten that you matter. And, honestly, what matters more than self preservation?
The Effect of Sidelining Appointments
What happens when we don’t stay on top of our self care commitment is that we backslide. When you miss appointments, you have that much more ground to regain when you return. It almost wastes the time and effort previously exerted to achieve the progress you have made. As it regards body- or skincare, it makes it that much more difficult to accomplish the physical improvement or the sustainable glow you ultimately desire. The lymph system stagnates. Channels get blocked and congested. Then, the next time you come in, we have to devote more time to cleaning up the mess that’s accumulated than we can to making the strides toward improvement that could be attained. It’s disappointing because we can’t help you get to your goal as efficiently as you desire.
Toward that end, let me encourage you to really consider next time you are so quick to put your own commitment to self on the back burner to perhaps not choose to do that. While it may not seem so important in the moment, taking your self care commitment off the schedule really does say something serious about how you value yourself and your priorities. It also communicates something significant to others in that you accept not mattering and that you’re OK with giving yourself short shrift. As Dr. Phil always says, “We teach others how to treat us.” When you take yourself off the list, you’re telling all the people around you that you’re cool with them doing that too. Is that what you really want? 
Reality is that when we love and respect ourselves, it encourages others to hold those values in high esteem as well. For moms out there, the best example a mother can set is to demonstrate for her children what self respect looks like. So, even if you don’t care enough about progress made thus far, consider the positive role model you are for your loved ones when you keep your self care commitments. Staying true to your self care commitment really is a win-win for all involved.
So, during this period of Mercury retrograde, when everything is slowwwwing down a bit, why not take some additional time to re-center yourself and your wellbeing? Mercury retrograde is a bit like a forced vacation for the soul, so why not try to enjoy it a bit more? Come for a spa treatment and get to feeling renewed inside and out. I promise you that it’s worth your time. YOU are worth your time. Don’t forget that.
