Self-care In Order To Be Self-less

Do you constantly find yourself with very little time for taking care of yourself?  Do you always put others ahead of yourself?  When was the last time  you took time for yourself?

If you find yourself grasping for an answer to the final question, you are not alone.  Many of us do our absolute best to be self-less and generous with our time and resources.  We strive to make the lives of those we love easier and smoother.  We try to anticipate their needs and provide whatever we possibly can to enhance the quality of their lives.  Our desire is to do everything we possibly can to provide for those we love, or for those we see are in need of help.

In doing so, we very often leave ourselves dragging behind.  We tend to use all of our available resources and energy on the act of providing and helping.  When we reach the end of the day there is simply not much energy, time or resources to fulfill our needs, or to even stop and recognize what those needs might be.

There is an old saying that you cannot give from an empty well.  Oftentimes it take a crisis of some sort to wake us up to the necessity of self-care.  Sometimes it is a health scare.  Sometimes it is a loved one calling you out on your self-neglect.  Whatever the trigger is for us to recognize the need to be a bit more selfish with our own care, it is still not easy to act on.  We are habitual providers, having forgotten that we should be the recipient of that glorious giving as well.  If we go too long neglecting our self-care needs we will not have enough resources or stamina to provide for those we love and care about. 

Self-care does not have to be expensive, or resource intensive, but it has to occur.  Some simple ways to start a self-care practice are to carve out some time for yourself each day.  It does not have to be a lot of time.  It could be 10 minutes a day to start.  That time is yours to do whatever makes you feel alive and healthy.  You might take that time to write in a gratitude journal.  You might sit on the bathroom mat with a face-mask on.  A steaming cup of tea might be your joy during that time.  You see, the thing you do for yourself in that "you time" is meant to be particular to what brings you joy.  Everyone will do something different with their time and that is why it is special. 

That short "you time" is just a start....you can grow your self-care practice from there.  Adding in a walk outside on sunny days (or in the rain if you like) or reading scripture or prayer.  Simple daily routines are what will fill up your well.  The consistency is the key to self-care that becomes non-negotiable and does not feel like an extravagant splurge.  Yes, those are good too, but their joy is temporary.  We want to stay healthy, joyful and strong enough to care for others.  So please consider investing time in yourself, being compassionate with your needs and not feeling selfish, but self-cared for.

Namaste',

Michelle