Everyday Self Care

I find a lot of people miss making it on their own to-do-list. People these days seem to be so busy, they fail to take care of some of their own basic needs.  We live in a culture of business. Our days filled to the brim.

 

I admit, I have fallen into that trap. When we moved back from Mexico, I watched myself get pulled back in. I started trying to keep up with everyone. I found myself joining clubs and scheduling my time chock-a-block full. I was racing here and there, trying to be on time and ready for it all.

 

Phew! I don’t know what snapped me out of it. Maybe living in Mexico instilled in me something I could not forget. I had tasted what it was like to slow down and enjoy life.

 

After a few years of being back in Canada, and feeling exhausted and burnt out, I remembered: there is another way.

 

Part of my remembering had to do with a book called the Artists Way. Reading this book provided me the questions I needed to get back on track. To make my own joy and wellness matter.

 

As I started integrating time for me back into my days I watched something miraculous happen! Nothing fell apart. No one missed me. My career was still thriving. I had more energy and felt better physically, mentally and spiritually. Inspiration showed up again and I felt alive!

 

So what did this journey back to Self entail?

 

Simply putting myself first.

 

Everyday.

 

Initially, I had to do a little work to figure out what nourished me and then once I was clear what I needed, I took action to provide myself those things.

 

This meant slowing down to eat. Taking time to prepare nutritious, delicious food. This meant pausing in the morning with my coffee, letting the sun hit my face, or sitting in front of the fire on a rainy day. Waking up and giving thanks for the day.

 

I made time to get out in nature. To walk with a friend or husband, or by myself. I started to get outside and spend time with the trees and birds and rivers, or the sea.

 

I got to sleep early, and woke up early so I could make time for my Yoga and meditation practice.

 

I started to grow a garden and learned an enormous amount about caring for myself by caring for my garden.

 

I took painting classes and started playing with colours and words and writing regularly. I took the pressure off thinking everything I did needed to be good. I rediscovered creativity and moved away from productivity.

 

I listened to my body and I trusted its requests. If it is tired I rest. If it is hungry I eat. If it is full I stop.  If I have energy, I go for an adventure. If I want to dance I turn on the music. If I feel like a sweet treat, I bake.

 

I have learned to follow what brings me Joy. To trust my own inner voice. I have remembered how to take care of my own needs and now I have so much Joy and energy, I have plenty to share.

 

We think if we take care of everything and everyone else then we will one day get to us. Well let me tell you: NO ONE can take care of you but YOU!  And when you do take care of yourself first you become MUCH more capable of giving to others.

 

Take care of yourself first!

 

Figure out what nourishes you and start to put those things at the TOP of your to do list. Watch the way everything begins to thrive, not just you, but everyone and everything you get involved in.

 

When we have a full tank we are unstoppable!