Self-Care is never selfish…
These past few months have been a test of this mantra as I’ve spent a career encouraging others to make sure they ‘take care of themselves in order to care for others’. This endeavor is surely wise and necessary, but not necessarily as easy as it sounds.
I don’t know about you, but it seems that as I’ve gotten older, time seems to go by so quickly. I know, I know…we’ve all heard this from our parents and THEIR parents, and now here it is with many of us! But in my observation, the busier you are, the faster those days and months speed past.
I bring all this up because so often, people use the excuse they have no ‘time’ for themselves. No time to take a breath or do something that is reserved for their own enjoyment. ‘Never enough hours in a day’! ‘I don’t have an extra second’! ‘Time? Who’s got time’? Every single one of us have said these very things….
Self-care oftentimes can feel self-indulgent, and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to feel! We can actually feel guilty when we take the time to do something we personally enjoy because we know it’s taking ‘time’ away from others!
Self-care is an investment in ourselves and our relationships with our family and friends. We think of ‘investments’ as funds we place in a secure space to use in the future. Self-care is no different. We draw upon these ‘funds’ when we need that extra boost of energy, or joy, or breath to deal with difficult situations. Self-care is a bank for all those reserves!
I encourage all of you to consider what your own self-care looks like…and it will be unique to only you. Is it reading a book, taking a walk, listening to music, riding a bike, taking a ‘one-day vacation’ by yourself, eating ice cream, playing with your grandchildren, LAUGHING, getting a massage, having a glass of wine with friends, talking to your siblings, watching a movie…? Any, or all of these will make us better for those we love.
Self-care is Self-love. Let’s try to pay attention to what our bodies and minds really need; not only for those around us, but for ourselves.
Happy August, everyone!! Stay cool….
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