One thing that I learned way too late in life was that caring for myself is absolutely, inarguably, completely necessary.
If I do not take care of myself first, who would I rely on to do that for me?
I was always under the impression that it was wrong and frowned upon to do anything at all for myself. If it wasn’t for the kids or the partner or the family or *insert anyone or anything else in here*, then it was selfish, wrong and something to be ashamed of.
That is rot.
The older I am becoming, the more I am realising just how important those, even the briefest moments, of self care are vital to our entire being.
It is the analogy of the flight attending giving the safety briefing prior a flight taking off: put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others.
If we don’t take care of our own self first, how on earth can we expect to take care of anyone else.
So here are a few of my favourite things I do to help me take care of myself:
Do something for my confidence
Which means, pretty much do anything I wouldn’t have done before. Like getting my eyebrows shaped, getting a new perfume at parfumdreams, having my hair done, my nails polished.
You know, something that makes me feel that I’ve actually taken a little time to make myself look better than the usual get-out-of-the-shower-put-on-my-leggings-and-get-on-with-the-day rigmarole.
Something every now and then which is just for me.
Do something for my body
If you are waiting for motivation to get you into the gym or starting that workout, you will be waiting a very long time.
Unfortunately for us, action always comes before motivation. Some days I really don’t feel like it but I force myself to just get started, whether it is a walk around the park, a visit to the gym or a scuba dive.
I guarantee that I always feel mentally clearer, physically better and overall more positive after the originally dreaded deed has been done. Physical exercise works. Just do it… (oooh, that could work as a slogan for something…)
Do something for my soul
Not one that has been able to learn to meditate without my mind wandering, I have discovered an alternative that does allow me to switch off: a massage.
For me it is not the relaxing, tickly soft wishy-washy type of massage that does it but the deep tissue ‘get right into the knots’ massage that I absolutely love. Seriously, if anywhere in Kent needs me to trial a deep tissue massage and give you feedback, I’m your gal! Call me! In the meantime, this is my preferred place for a deep tissue massage right here in Kent which I would recommend one hundred per cent every single time.
Do something for my mind
Reading has always been an escape for me. I tend to lean towards non-fiction stuff and at the moment have several books on the go.
I finished the book ‘Stepmonster’ in two days flat which is a fabulous read for those trying to navigate the somewhat stormy world of step-parenting.
Also on the go, I have Aristotle’s Rhetoric and Women Who Think Too Much by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema.
Yes, I like to find out how and why we do the things we do.
When is the last time you did something for your own self care?
Don’t you think it’s time you did?
