My life priorities after cancer. How have my values changed?

Having cancer has made me re-think my priorities and core values

See, I don’t always wear sports kit!

In the last month or so, I have been working on some new projects, which has been super exciting but it’s also been meaning more time in front of the computer and less time moving.

Which has got me thinking about my core values, personal framework and boundaries. I find it difficult to say no and am by nature a people pleasing perfectionist. But since having cancer, my priorities have shifted and I am learning to live by the mantra, ‘done is better than perfect’.

I figured, if I write it down here, it will help me stick to what I believe. What are your top 5 core values / framework that you try to live by? Here are mine.

Me: I am important and prioritizing my health, well-being and mental health are paramount. I am the only one driving the ‘me’ bus so it’s up to me to make time for exercise, nutritious food, sleep and stress management. I have to put it in my diary or it doesn’t happen.

Family: My family is my next most important priority. I try to give 10 minutes a day of quality, uninterrupted time to each of my kids. I try to be present and listen and stay calm. It doesn’t sound like a lot but sometimes even 10 minutes is hard. But it’s also enough.

Work: I love my work but I am very bad at saying no and can get side tracked. So I have identified my career priorities and am finding the courage to turn down the things that don’t fit into my professional framework. I am learning to stick better to time limits. It’s a process! At nearly 50, I am very much still learning.

Relationships: My friendships and my partner are so important to me. Like exercise, I now block off time in my diary for them! Like many people who go through cancer, I have found out who my real friends are and I’ve stopped putting time and energy into people who don’t make me feel positive.

Lifestyle: My post cancer mission is to make magical memories with my kids. Showing them the world and sharing adventures is a huge priority. I don’t spend money on stuff, I spend it on memory making.

What about you? How do these align with your values? It feels good to write them down!