Self-Care in the Every Day

A well-worn subject came up this week on a few coaching calls. The concept of self-care and giving ourselves permission. Sure, we know that self-care is important and we “can’t give from an empty bucket”. We get massages and drink water. We eat a few extra vegetables or try to get to sleep a little early. While these activities are undoubtably good for you, how deep do they really go?

How good are you at self-care in the every day?

We allow ourselves to absorb other people’s agendas into our lives because we love them or because the suggestions sound good for us. We walk other people’s paths because we see how well it is working for them. We put down our sense of self because it is more comfortable to jump into the stream of the majority and let it carry us away.

I encourage everyone to take a step back and look at what they’ve collected into their day-to-day that needs to put down for a bit. Maybe it’s taking a week off of regular chores to veg out and binge watch that TV show you’ve been meaning to catch up on. Or maybe it’s taking TWO weeks off - GASP! Maybe it’s walking away from that course you signed up for or asking to receive a withdrawal refund. Or maybe it’s eating out for every meal until you feel up to cooking again.

The thing is that self-care looks different for every person, every day. You have permission to take care of you in the way that feels helpful in that day, hour, or minute. You can say “no thank you” or “maybe later” to others and to yourself.