Lost Art of Self-Preservation

After over two decades of life, you'd think I'd have the hang of taking care of myself by now.

Unfortunately, that's not the case. It's not just me, though. Oh, no. It's an epidemic, infecting my peers left and right. Everywhere, I see people staying up into the wee hours of the morning, making Top Ramen and Mac'n'Cheese the main staples of their diets, watching sports instead of actually playing them, and letting their minds waste away with pointless time wasters, like TwitFaceTube. Many people I know, myself included, have not learned the art of taking care of themselves.

I believe our generation has lost the art of many valuable skills with the advent of new paradigms and technologies, and that this is one of the most important. I believe this common trend will affect the quality of our future lives, and by extent, of our children. Finding balance and maintaining personal health now teaches skills that affect our health and the rest of our lives. The habits we form now will stick with us for the next few decades, and will be harder to break the longer we continue in them. Eventually, these will be the habits our children learn from, that will in turn stick with them.

 

Other lost arts: sewing is incredibly valuable. Also, the art of manliness. If you haven't checked out their blog, DO IT.

For example: I learned to stress-clean from my mom. My parents have always been neat and tidy, a trait I've grown to be grateful for over the years. However, that means that when I get stressed, I morph into a whirlwind of Lysol wipes and dishwater detergent. That's a habit that's not going to change, so I wager my kids will pick it up eventually, too. A family heirloom for the personality, of sorts.

Another habit I picked up from both my parents was the ability to work hard. Anyone that knows me can tell you I have a solid work ethic. Staying until close at the library isn't uncommon. My natural inclination is to be lazy, but my parents wrung that habit out of me at an early age.** Thank heavens for that.

**Funny story: At one point, my neighbors actually called child services because the new neighbors (my parents) were putting their kids to work setting up the landscaping in the backyard. After a few years, the neighbors finally gave up and let it go. 

So, what's the point? Why am I writing about this now? Honestly, I would not want my future children to have the habits I currently do. In fact, I'd be horrified. (Sorry Mom. It's not your fault.) I know what I'm supposed to be doing, and I've done it before, but I haven't been consistent. I've heard from a lot of different places how important the little, basic things are, and I believe they're all right. I know I need to do better. So, as of the beginning of last week, I'm recommitting to the small, good habits that enrich my life. I'm working towards forming and solidifying the good in my life now. Not only for my sake, but for all the people I will influence in my life.