I have lived by many “rules” or one could call them “motto’s” and one of them is “Fail to plan, plan to fail”. As a recovering overachiever, I’m a notorious planner. Part of my personal growth has been leaning into letting things go, relaxing and trusting life, and getting better at responding to what shows up rather than planning ahead. However, one area I am learning to plan MORE in is my self-care and health.
Over the last few years, I’ve witnessed firsthand what happens when we avoid planning for our care later in life. A loved one, suddenly in need of more assistance, had to accept help because she kept denying her mobility issues until it was too late. Another friend who avoided his finances because it “stressed him out” found he had to a critical look at his finances in order to save his home.
While unexpected circumstances - health, finances or an accident - can throw us into unavoidable chaos, there are many ways we can plan for our health now. Prevention is a primary tenet of naturopathic medicine. And, self-care is a form of health care. Let’s take care of ourselves now so that we might be able to avoid a crisis later. Also, having dealt with my mom’s remember that getting rid of clutter now so we can enjoy spacious living is important. By doing so, we also respect the time of our busy loved ones who remain after we’re gone and have to deal with the dishes, furniture and pictures on the mantel.
A part of health care also includes doing what’s necessary today to remain mobile, strong, nutritionally sound and stress minimized so that we can avoid getting sick next month or year. Addressing health issues early, before they become full-blown problems, is where we shine as Naturopathic doctors. It is important to have relationships with health care providers that align with our personal preferences. If you have been considering adding a naturopathic doctor to your health care team - today is a great time to establish that relationship! Planning is good self-care. The longer we wait to identify and put in place the support we need, the more we limit our choices.
If you find yourself saying things like: I don’t need help, I’m not that old, I can do things myself, I like my privacy, it will take too long to bring someone up to speed, or I can handle everything on my own, please consider a new way to be kind to yourself. Give yourself a huge gift and make a plan! Because as we age, we will all need help. Every single one of us. And if we want to secure the right kind of help, we need to plan for it.
Not sure where to start? Here are three questions to consider:
What am I avoiding that could cause me trouble as I age?
For example, my hip is always bothering me, but I keep putting off doing something about it.
What will I wish I had planned for sooner?
For example, I have no idea who I to call or rely on if I suddenly needed help with everyday tasks.
Where is my need for independence getting in my way?
For example, I insist on doing everything myself, even though I know that accepting help would free up more time and energy to enjoy my life.
Sit with these questions for a while. Regardless of your age, the answers will reveal a lot about what you’ll need to enjoy life more.
We are here to support you - please call 587-521-3595 to set up an appointment today!
Reference: Cheryl Richardson - Week 43 newsletter October 18, 2026
