CAREFREE

​Where are you on the Carefree Scale? A quick dictionary search on the word carefree stated -
 free from anxiety or responsibility, with the following words added: happy-go-lucky, free and easygoing, casual, relaxed, serene, cheerful, happy, merry, jolly, joyful, bright, sunny, bubbly, bouncy and breezy.
From 1 to 10 where would you rate yourself on a carefree scale?

Although I hope many of those words describe me, I don’t often 
​feel free from responsibility or carefree so I would rate myself low.  In fact, I wouldn’t use the word “carefree” when describing myself.  When I dig deep into my life backpack, I think there are many reasons for this. 

I was raised in a family where productivity and accomplishing were expected. I think this may be a common trait in military families. Both of my parents worked and my siblings and I were expected to set our alarms, get ourselves up, dressed, fed and have the dishes done before we walked to school.  All this at a younger age than would be acceptable today.  There was no sleeping in, no laying around the house, no video games or computers.

I was the baby of the family and the ‘accident’ that was never planned.  The joke of Pennie being an accident became a common family story. Although I felt loved and had a great family, I think in my very core I felt like I needed to prove that I was good enough to be here. I became a people pleaser, a peacemaker and never, ever, never said, “NO” to requests of my time.

I am also a Libra, the sign of the scales. I am always weighing what I should do when I should do it, if I am doing it right, if it is fair, if I should do more… to the point of exhaustion.

Recently I have been studying the Enneagram system and I am a 2- The Helper who is sensitive, supportive and fulfilled by giving to others even if it is at the expense of my own needs. Oh, and I am also a sensitive Empath.  I can’t walk through the grocery store without feeling the emotions, fear, anger, and hopelessness of others- often draining my own energy.

Whew!  When I look at the combination of all of this I wonder where would being carefree ever fit in.
Well, the answer is, it must!

I don’t think I am alone in this.  You may not have the bucket full of situations I outlined above, but you may have your own unique list.

I talk all the time about the importance of self-care.  The danger of worry and guilt and the damage it can do to your mind, body and soul. I believe a feeling of carefree bliss must be squeezed into the fiber of our lives.  When was the last time YOU felt carefree? Even for an hour or an afternoon?
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I believe we must first find our own definition of what the feeling​ of being Carefree means to us and then practice it like you would yoga, meditation or any exercise routine you do. Incorporate time to be Carefree into your life as a ritual.  Give yourself breaks during the day to take a walk, watch the sunrise, sunset, (or both), without a mind filled with responsibilities or worry.  Build your carefree muscle to allow the time and strength to be FREE of CARES!  
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Pennie’s Life Lesson: “Practice being carefree. Work your carefree muscle into a ritual of being Free of Cares for a committed space and time each day.” 
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YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to practice being Free of Cares.  Incorporate time into your day as a ritual to give yourself a break from the responsibilities and worries of life 
​Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
                PennieHunt@gmail.com. 
                          Thank you!  
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         This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
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