“How Often Do I Prioritize Me?”

Mindful Awareness, Self-Care & Learning to Listen. 

A Note Before You Listen…

This week’s Simply BE features an original “Tap In” from February 2023 that I’ve edited slightly for this week’s reflection. As I listened to myself teaching this almost four years ago, I noticed something – the heart of the message still feels very true to me…

But I also noticed how often I used words like “have to,” “need to,” and “should.” I hear those words differently today. Because one of the things I’ve come to understand is that awareness can’t be forced.

Neither can change.

We can learn the tools. We can understand the concepts. We can even know exactly what might support us… But sometimes we’re simply not ready to make a different choice.

And that’s okay.

The 2026 version of me would say… When you’re ready, these practices are here for you. And when your body, mind and Soul are ready to align… I believe you’ll know.

Perhaps that’s the beautiful thing about revisiting these older teachings. The wisdom continues to evolve… because we do.

Enjoy the journey.

“How Often Do I Prioritize Me?”

It’s a simple question. But not always an easy one to answer honestly.

How often do I prioritize ME?

• Not after everything else is finished.
• Not when everyone else is taken care of.
• Not when I finally have more time.

Now.

And prioritizing yourself doesn’t necessarily mean making enormous changes to your life. Sometimes it simply means becoming aware of how you’re treating the person living it.

You.

Your Body Is Communicating

Over the past several weeks, we’ve explored many different ways your body communicates with you.

• Through hunger.
• Digestion.
• Sleep.
• Energy.
• Movement.
• The senses.

And the more attention you give these messages, the more you begin developing a relationship with your body rather than simply expecting it to keep up with your life.

Sometimes self-care can be incredibly simple.

• Place your hands over your heart.
• Massage your feet.
• Step outside and feel the air against your skin.
• Slow down enough to actually taste your food.
• Move when your body wants movement.
• Rest when it’s asking for rest.

Your senses are always available to help bring you back into the present moment.

Touch. Taste. Breathe. Feel. Listen.

You don’t have to do all of it. Just begin to notice… What feels nourishing to me?

Your Mind Is Communicating Too

Then there’s the mind. This is another place where mindful awareness can become such a beautiful practice. Rather than automatically believing every thought that passes through your mind, you can begin to notice it.

You might ask yourself…

• How am I speaking to myself?
• What stories am I repeating?
• Where does my mind continually take me?
• How do these thoughts make me feel?

Sometimes we’re so accustomed to the voice in our own head that we don’t even notice how much it influences the way we feel.

This isn’t about believing that every thought needs to be changed or that difficult emotions need to disappear. It’s simply about becoming aware. Because we can’t make a conscious choice about something we haven’t yet noticed. And awareness gives us choice.

And Then There’s the Soul

This is where my own understanding has deepened the most. The body communicates. The mind communicates. But underneath all of that… there is another part of you.

The quiet observer. The inner knowing. The higher Self. The Soul.

Call it whatever feels right to you. It’s the part of you that can notice what your mind is thinking… notice what your body is feeling… and then ask: “What choice feels most loving for me right now?”

For now, just get used to asking. No need to force the answer. You can learn to listen for it.

The 4 A’s – Four simple words:

• Attention — What am I noticing?
• Acceptance — Can I allow myself to be where I am right now?
• Appreciation — What can I appreciate about myself and my body in this moment?
• Affection — What loving choice can I make for myself right now?

And perhaps there’s one question that belongs underneath all four:

How often do I prioritize ME?

Not from guilt. Not because you should. Not because someone told you that you have to. But because you’re beginning to understand that your relationship with yourself matters.

When You’re Ready…

There are so many ways you can support yourself. Movement. Nourishing food. Meditation. Sleep. Breath. Nature. Your senses. Self-care.

You can learn all the tools in the world. But I’ve come to believe something very strongly… Change happens when we’re ready to participate in it.

So, if there’s something you’ve known for a while would feel good for your body or mind… you don’t need to judge yourself for not doing it yet. Simply keep noticing. Keep listening. Keep becoming aware.

And perhaps one day the thought changes from… “I know I should…” to… “I’m ready now.”

And when that happens, the choice begins to come from somewhere deeper.

This Week’s Invitation

You don’t need another list of things to do. Instead, carry one question with you this week: “How often do I prioritize me?”

And when an opportunity arises to make a choice for yourself… Pause. Bring in the 4 A’s. And ask:

1. What am I noticing?
2. What is my body telling me?
3. What is my mind telling me?
4. And what choice feels most loving for me right now?

Then listen.

Because the more you practice listening to yourself, the stronger that relationship becomes. And when your body, mind and Soul begin moving in the same direction… you’ll know you’re ready – you will feel it.

Stay curious. Stay open. Stay flexible and… Simply BE.

Namaste my friends;
Leslie 🙏🩵