Being Present For My Cats

I have recently written about how self-care for me can help my cats and how my energy affects my cats. All great advice that I wasn’t fully following. It wasn’t until I wrote the article about Emmet’s Words of Wisdom that I actually paid attention to the words. I have always been the type of person who tends to take on too much. There is always some room on my plate to add more. But is there really? In order to make room for something new, other things need to be shifted around. Through the shifting, it is inevitable that some things may get forgotten about or not enough time is spent where it needs to be spent. And that is what I am going to avoid this new year. This year, I am going to start being present for my cats.

Balancing all my responsibilities

Emmet was very wise when he told me that I needed to stop taking on so much. Running around in a constant state of frenzy, worrying about whether I have enough time to complete everything, stressing out because I don’t is not good for me and certainly not good for my cats. It is sad that Emmet had to remind me just how much he and the other cats are affected by my stress. Apparently, even though I “thought” that I was handling everything, I actually wasn’t. Emmet’s words forced me to look at all of my responsibilities and how I plan to balance them in the upcoming year.

Some of my responsibilities will always be a part of my life. Caring for my cats will always be one of my top priorities. Providing them with the best possible care is important to me and will never be sacrificed. At this point in time, teaching full-time is one responsibility that I will have to continue at least for another year. Allowing myself to say “no” to extra school related projects will be a start to balancing my responsibilities. Realizing that it is ok to say no or even to ask for help is exactly what I need to remember in order to be able to be present for my cats.

My New Year Intentions

Over the past couple of years, I have stopped making resolutions for the New Year. I, now, set intentions for the New Year. Instead of making the resolution of losing weight, I set the intention of being healthy. Choosing to set intentions instead of making resolutions has made a huge impact of how I approach the new year. It also helps ease any pressures and stress throughout the year. Setting intentions allows for slip ups and setbacks, while resolutions necessarily don’t.

One of my new year intentions is to be the best possible Cat Mom that I can be each day. That allows me the grace to adjust what that means each day. There may be days where being the best Cat Mom is actually just making sure they are fed, and litter boxes are scooped. Other days it could mean spending time connecting with them to make sure that they are healthy and happy. Wording the intention the way I did gives me flexibility to do as much or as little as I am able. This will take off unnecessary pressure and stress. And, ultimately, an unstressed Cat Mom is the best possible way to keep my babies happy and healthy.

Wishing You a Happy Mew Year

As you head into this new year, remember taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your cats. Don’t feel the pressure to be all to everyone. One of the greatest gifts you can give your cats is to be present for them. Spending time with them is what they want the most from you. Ignore the urge to set unrealistic resolutions. Instead, set intentions for the New Year. Waking up each day with the intention to have a great day will go a long way to making that great day happen. Wishing all of you the happiest of Mew Years ever!

“The cat is not in the long run anxious to please.” – T. O. Beachcroft