2020 Constantine-Yorkville Virtual Run
2020 Constantine-Yorkville
Virtual Run
September 19th, 2020 (or 26th if raining)
GEM Voices

Prioritizing Me, Myself and I

Written By
Hiwot, GEM Alumna and Scholarship Recipient
January 16, 2023

What do you want in life?  

It is a commonplace question and I have little doubt that your answer will be any less ordinary; you want to live happily. You want your hard work to pay off and for your triumphs to come quickly and be absolute. Granted, the idea of success is variable and perhaps that might make your answer a little different from the next, but, paradoxically, it is also a constant: everyone wants sucess in the future.  

I will ask you another question: what of now? What do you want your life to look like at this very moment? Is it all work and no play? Is your happiness and comfort paused as you struggle to bring about your future goals? This line of inquisition reminds me of a Twitter post I saw recently: “My current style isn’t my actual style. These are just the clothes I wear until I can afford to look like the bad b***h that I am.” Perhaps, waiting until you are financially stable is an appropriate approach to finding your clothing aesthetic, but self-care is a different matter entirely.

As the cliché goes, “Happiness is not a destination, it is a journey.” Similarly, self-care is not a pit-stop on your road to success. Rather, it is the chocolate bar you always keep stashed in your bag to give yourself a little pick me up when needed.  It is especially useful on those days when you feel completely drained. It doesn’t matter when it sneaks up on you, because that sensation you get when you are exhausted is the same across the board. Maybe it’s your after-school volunteering opportunity; you remember signing on because you were genuinely excited about volunteering at the local hospital, but now, you are just going through the motions because it is no longer a passion, but a chore. Perhaps it is your early morning math class: your head feels like a lead weight and suddenly, your brain ceases to be the master of your body. Your neck rolls every which way and your eyes … oh, your eyes. Should you tape your lids open, so your teacher doesn’t catch you snoozing? Anyway, it doesn’t matter if you can will yourself awake because your mind has floated away as well. Your ears are for decoration and you sit there, unable to hear the teacher explain why the limit of the function on the board does not exist.  When, you ponder, will this cycle of mediocrity end?

I’ll tell you: it’s when you take some time for yourself. There are 24 hours within a day and no matter how stacked your schedule is, I will bet that you can spare a half-hour to unwind and take some me-time. Do the things you like doing because, and I cannot stress this enough, you deserve it.

Personally, I find comfort in the simple things. When the going gets tough, I find myself a calming melody, with a hint of bass and just enough soul to transport me to euphoric landscapes. When I am tired and need a pick me up, I paint my lips a bright color and curl my lashes so that maybe, they will lift my lids open along with them. When I am sad, I put on a facemask and sip on some chilled cucumber water because it is near impossible to be melancholy when you’re hydrated. These tips may strike your fancy, but then again, you could be allergic to cucumbers. The point is, me-time is for me and for you and it is ours to do with what we wish. Thus, make National Self-Care Day an everyday observance and treat yourself.

Do unto yourself as you would have others do unto you.

Support #TeamGEM at this year’s Yorkville Virtual Run!

This year, the Yorkville Run will be held virtually from September 13th to September 27th, 2020. Below are the different ways you can participate and support us this year.

1) REGISTER TO Run or Walk with #TEAMGEM

Together, from the safety and comfort of our own neighbourhoods (or anywhere you choose, as long as it abides social distancing rules) we will be RUNNING or WALKING for #TeamGEM on September 19th, 2020 (or on September 26th if it’s raining).

Click here to register

All registered participants will receive a Premium Race Kit and customized Starter's Medal.

To prove your participation, you must do one of the following:

  • Record your run by using our custom Starter's Medal and/or a GPS App such as STRAVA, ASICS RUN KEEPER, or NIKE PLUS and submit your time and a photo of your time to your Race Roster profile.
  • Post a selfie/run photo or video taken during or after your run on Facebook or Instagram and follow @YorkvilleRun and tag ​#TeamGEM, #YorkvilleRun, and #Constantine5K. There are several partner prizes to be won!
2) SPONSOR A GEMGIRL TO PARTICIPATE

We have a roster of GEMgirls who would like to run for #TeamGEM. Donate now to help them register!

SPONSOR A GEMGIRL
3) Donate to a #teamGEM runner

If you can't make it, you can also support a #TEAMGEM runner.

SPONSOR A RUNNER
Dates to Remember
Tuesday, September 8th
to Saturday, September 12th, 2020
Race Kit Pick-up. Participants will be notified via email where in Yorkville you can pick up your race kit.
Sunday, September 13th, 2020
at 9:00 AM
Virtual Event Kick-Off. Join the Constantine Yorkville Run’s Virtual Event Kick-Off by tuning into Facebook & Instagram Live.
Saturday, September 19th, 2020
Run or walk anytime, anywhere for #TeamGEM!
Saturday, September 26th, 2020
#TeamGEM's back up day should weather prevent the run on the 19th.
Saturday, September 26th, 2020
at 5:00 PM
Winners of the Constantine-Yorkville Run’s fundraising prizes will be determined.
Sunday, September 27th, 2020
at 9:00 AM
Join the Constantine-Yorkville Run’s Virtual Event Closing Ceremony by tuning into Facebook & Instagram Live. Hear from our partners and share in the run's exciting fundraising achievement! Fundraising prizes will also be rewarded.

Your support at the Constantine-Yorkville Run this year will raise awareness and funds for the GEM program, which directly impacts young women in our communities and gives them the skills and tools they need to succeed.

Thank you for supporting mentorship!

Questions? Contact us at info@girlsementorship.com

Downloads

Share your participation and support on social media! You can retweet/share GEM’s run postings or use our branded material for the run.

Download Materials
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