How we take care of ourselves sets the unconscious standard of how other people will see us and treat us. If you’re like me, sometimes you really struggle with putting yourself first, or making time for self-care. I often will want to get a bunch of things done before I make the time to do something for myself. And the reality is, I never get to the bottom of the list where that special line item of self-care resides. Yet I always think I will get to it.
It is so important to make the time to do the things you enjoy and nourish your soul. You aren’t being selfish by doing so. In fact, by treating yourself well, you are building a better version of yourself who will show up in a better way for the people in your life.
I started Self-Care Sunday to keep myself on point. I know that I am apt to fall into the trap of spending too much time on work, getting bogged down by doing endless chores around the house or just not making the time to take care of myself. So I figured it would be a good way for me to hold myself accountable, and to hopefully inspire you to find the things that will nourish your soul, too. Maybe you can rediscover some the things that recharge you by seeing some of the things I’m doing. Because believe me, I know what it’s like for self-care to be a completely foreign idea.
Small things can be great self-care. To name a few for me: creative writing, astrophotography, having a luxurious bath, building a pillow fort and playing video games, watching 80s movies and making little pizzas with English muffins (don’t judge it until you try it!), making ice cream cone s’mores, playing Monopoly on your phone and over Skype with your family, catching up with a friend or cooking a cheat meal.
It’s also simple things like eating well, hydrating and getting physical exercise every day. It’s taking time to wind down at the end of the day and get your head in order. Or meditating in the morning.
These might seem like minor things, and perhaps insignificant. But by prioritizing these things, you are putting yourself in the best mental health space. And because of that, you become a better partner, sibling, child, friend and coworker.
But…you also send the message to other people in your life that you view yourself and your time as a priority. If you neglect yourself, you are showing others, intentionally or unintentionally, that you feel your wellness doesn’t matter. And you matter.
How can you start treating yourself better? What steps can you take today to make time for the things that recharge you?
