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1. My surroundings are tidy and clean, and are filled with things that please me to look at (furniture, artwork, colours, gifts, books, photos).
2. My things are usually put away and I can have company over with fairly short notice.
3. I feel uneasy, restless and/or frustrated by my cluttered surroundings.

2. Systems

1. I have a system for managing my time that works well for me and I always remember my appointments and arrive on time.
2. I usually remember my appointments and usually arrive on time.
3. I consistently forget appointments, arrive late, and always feel I have to catch up.

EMOTIONS & THOUGHTS

3. Emotions

1. I routinely express my emotions & thoughts (reflectively through journaling or individual creative expression, or to others through creative expression or other sharing).
2. I'm usually aware of what I'm feeling.
3. I keep my emotions inside and prefer not to pay any attention to them.

4. Stress

1. I usually feel relaxed, serene and peaceful.
2. I take breaks almost every day to relax and rejuvenate, and I get out and have fun regularly.
3. 3. I usually feel stressed out and ready to snap.

5. Thought patterns

1. I routinely spend time thinking about what I am grateful for, practice affirmations and/or positive self-talk.
2. I notice when I'm thinking negatively and try and make a choice.
3. My negative thinking really gets in my way (imagining I know what someone is thinking; self-blame; blaming others; over generalizing; black & white thinking; imagining the worst possible outcome as the truth; "should" statements).

LIFESTYLE HABITS

6. Activity

1. I move my body every day, in a way that I really enjoy doing.
2. I am active at different times through the week.
3. I am a couch potato.

7. Healthy eating

1. My diet consists mainly of whole foods in their natural form, I eat three meals a day at regular intervals, and I choose healthy snacks to help balance my blood sugar between meals.
2. I eat three meals a day at regular intervals, and I avoid or moderate foods that are high in sugar, fat and/or calories.
3. I skip meals, I omit food group categories (such as grains) from my diet, and/or I am concerned about my weight or overall health.

8. Sleep

1. I get enough sleep every night, waking rested and ready to start the day.
2. My sleep fluctuates - sometimes I have to "catch up" on my sleep.
3. I consistently feel over-tired and have difficulty waking up and getting going in the morning.

FRIENDS, FAMILY & PEERS

9. Assertive communication

1. I am honest in my personal and professional relationships, asking for what I want and need.
2. I am honest in my relationships and sometimes wish people could guess what I want them to do.
3. I say "YES" automatically, because I don't want to let anyone down or risk the consequences of saying no.

10. Support

1. I consistently offer support to others, and also ask for and receive support from others.
2. I'll give support if I'm asked, and I'll take support if it's offered.
3. I isolate myself when I'm feeling down, and I'm uncomfortable being around other people when they're feeling down.

Now, score yourself by visiting the Self-care Quiz Scoring page hosted by contributing author and self-care coach, Linda Dessau.

More from this author:

Tips for Clearing the Clutter
Breathing out Stage Fright
7 Things Sapping Your Creativity Right Now

© Copyright Linda Dessau, 2005.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. For more creativity and self-care solutions subscribe to her free monthly newsletter, "Everyday Artist" at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/artist-newsletter.html - also includes the free course "Roadblocks to Creativity".

Check out these recommended resources:
The Nine Modern Day Muses
Freeing the Creative Spirit
Artists Journals and Sketchbooks: Exploring and Creating Personal Pages
Living Out Loud