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Just joining us for the 2013 “Back To Me” self-care challenge? Catch up on all the exercises here. 

If there’s one thing that makes me feel better about myself, it’s taking the time to hang out with friends. So often, we get busy with family obligations, with work, with school, that we tend to put our relationships with friends on the back burner. I know I have been guilty of this from time to time, however unintentional it may have been.

But in 2013, it’s time to solidify some friendships. That’s why I chose this challenge for Day 6:

Name 4 people to your personal “board of directors”

Now, I’m not saying you grab four of your friends for monthly meetings about the progress of your life, but I am suggesting that you surround yourself with people you don’t mind taking advice from.

1. Someone who is good with finances. He or she is always telling you how they negotiated their way to a higher salary, or they stay finding ridiculous sales at the store. Pay attention to how they handle their money and take notes if you can.
2. Someone who’s happy in their relationship. Your chronically single friend might not be the best person to take relationship advice from but your friend who’s quietly consistent in their love for their partner? You might want to take a minute to get their input on what they do to keep their relationship alive.
3. Someone who is just fun to be around. Life is too short to be serious all the time. You’ve got to have that one friend that brings the goofy out of you.
4. Someone who is your biggest cheerleader. True, a lot of people in your life might not be happy for you all the time, but if you don’t have someone in your life who is sincerely thrilled when you get good news, find new people for your inner circle IMMEDIATELY.

Do you have four people in mind? Let me know how you’re doing with today’s challenge!

Day #4– Get a hobby

The trick with this hobby is that it is supposed to be something fun for you. Not something that benefits the kids or makes you money, necessarily, but something that is for you and helps you unwind and deal with the stress that inevitably builds in our lives.

As I’ve said before, I have no hobbies. Unless you count writing, but even that is something I do in the course of a career. I don’t write privately anymore. Everything that my fingers tap out on the keyboard is for public consumption.

I used to bake. Each week I’d make some goodies with the intention on sharing with my husband’s coworkers, but dang, how do you eat just one cookie and wrap the rest up? My will power ain’t that strong!  I gained about 10 pounds and am trying to lose that weight so baking is out.

So I’m still looking for something to do, something that is just mine and something that’s not too expensive. I came up with a brief list below. See if anything strikes your fancy:

1) Jewelry maker. My girl Brooke from Jewelry Rockstar (she is also profiled in Make It Happen) makes beautiful pieces of jewelry and she makes it look so easy!

2) Running. Train for a 5K, then a 10K, half-marathon, marathon and more. There’s running groups, cute running gear, etc.

3) Learn to play an instrument. I don’t have any particular skills, but I’d like to learn how to play the piano (maybe because I figure I like tapping on the keyboard, it’ll translate musically? I don’t know.)

4) Sewing. So many moms are making one-of-a-kind outfits for their little ones (and some are turning it in a full-fledged business). I’d love to think I could make pretty hair bows or skirts or sweaters for my little ones.

So what’s your hobby? Please share and check out the rest of this year’s self-care challenges here.