Self-care has become a popular term. It's no wonder, because it sounds so good...so needed. We work long hours whether at school, at work, or caring for children. We have so many things to think about. We are tired + stressed + worried. We need some relief.
And when something can be sold, the opportunity will be seized upon. The wellness industry was worth $4.2 Trillion (!) at its last assessment + is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. We are thirsty for self-care + many of us are willing to pay for it.
We may think of self-care as moments of rejuvenation + indulging in luxuries...big or small. And often we use it as a sort of soft joke...a wink in the direction of...I work hard. I'm exhausted. I deserve this extra cookie or drink or dress. It's self-care. And sometimes it is just what we needed...and sometimes it's not.
Here's what I'm getting at: what we deem as "self-care" might not truly be self-care, if it ultimately makes us feel worse rather than better. Often the self-care we think of first actually adds to our stress, busyness, money woes or neglect of health.
My most default method of "self-care" is probably sweets. I love a good dessert or ice-cream. I also like to eat dinner out. The food is good, and I don't have to cook. Both of these are fine on occasion, but done too often would (and sometimes do) cost me peace of mind concerning both my health + my budget.
When it comes to diet, the wellness industry would like to sell us lots of supplements + powders + pressed juices as "self-care". None of these things truly sustain us + most are quite expensive.
The true self-care in this department comes when I do things like:
-buy more fruits + vegetables...maybe roasting a couple of big cookie sheets full of vegetables + keeping it them in the fridge for easy meals
-buy fruit instead of a cookie or fancy drink
-cut up lemon to squeeze into water instead of drinking soda or juice
-make a smoothie at home instead of buying one out (saves sugar + money)
-find simple ways to prepare food ahead
-find something I like + eat it over + over...like carrots + hummus then switch to tomatoes + guacamole...decreases decision fatigue + I can keep it stocked
-take a trip to the farmer's market
Time spent boiling beans never feels like a sparkly self-care moment, but having all those jars in the freezer sure does! Those jars save me time + money + waste + nourish my family. Time spent boiling beans has ripple effects. It genuinely makes me a bit giddy every time I pull a jar out during dinner prep. That is self-care redefined! :)
And when something can be sold, the opportunity will be seized upon. The wellness industry was worth $4.2 Trillion (!) at its last assessment + is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. We are thirsty for self-care + many of us are willing to pay for it.
We may think of self-care as moments of rejuvenation + indulging in luxuries...big or small. And often we use it as a sort of soft joke...a wink in the direction of...I work hard. I'm exhausted. I deserve this extra cookie or drink or dress. It's self-care. And sometimes it is just what we needed...and sometimes it's not.
Here's what I'm getting at: what we deem as "self-care" might not truly be self-care, if it ultimately makes us feel worse rather than better. Often the self-care we think of first actually adds to our stress, busyness, money woes or neglect of health.
My most default method of "self-care" is probably sweets. I love a good dessert or ice-cream. I also like to eat dinner out. The food is good, and I don't have to cook. Both of these are fine on occasion, but done too often would (and sometimes do) cost me peace of mind concerning both my health + my budget.
When it comes to diet, the wellness industry would like to sell us lots of supplements + powders + pressed juices as "self-care". None of these things truly sustain us + most are quite expensive.
The true self-care in this department comes when I do things like:
-buy more fruits + vegetables...maybe roasting a couple of big cookie sheets full of vegetables + keeping it them in the fridge for easy meals
-buy fruit instead of a cookie or fancy drink
-cut up lemon to squeeze into water instead of drinking soda or juice
-make a smoothie at home instead of buying one out (saves sugar + money)
-find simple ways to prepare food ahead
-find something I like + eat it over + over...like carrots + hummus then switch to tomatoes + guacamole...decreases decision fatigue + I can keep it stocked
-take a trip to the farmer's market
Time spent boiling beans never feels like a sparkly self-care moment, but having all those jars in the freezer sure does! Those jars save me time + money + waste + nourish my family. Time spent boiling beans has ripple effects. It genuinely makes me a bit giddy every time I pull a jar out during dinner prep. That is self-care redefined! :)
Movement + nature are another major component of self-care in this department. The wellness industry would like us to sell us personal trainers, books, classes, retreats, special clothing + equipment.
We instinctively know that the true self-care comes from:
-moving...stretching, a few sun salutations, walking, yoga, whatever movement you enjoy
-getting into nature...walking, hiking + biking are great, but so is finding a shady spot for lunch...when it's hot sit on the stoop in the shade in the morning for a few minutes or at least by an open window
On these hottest of days...move, do yoga, or stretch under a fan...get the air moving. Play some vibey, soft music. Getting on the floor changes everything. Take a walk as the sun comes up. Play some happy, energizing music loud + dance. Sign up for a class or a membership, if it's in the budget + you know you'll go...but it's not self-care, if our budgets can't support it. ;)
Whether or not I feel like tying my shoes to go for a walk in the morning, the outdoor air always holds something to notice...heat, humidity, a breeze, a change. I feel small in the bigness of nature...even in my neighborhood. I usually walk with my girls, so there is conversation + closeness. And back at home, I feel like I've done it (!)...the chore of exercise no longer looms over my head. My legs + my lungs feel stronger. There is a lightness + usually a smile. Now that is self-care...no debt...no guilt...less stress.
A healthy diet, movement + a little time spent in nature can set us up for another crucial aspect of self-care...sleep. A regular schedule for bedtime + waking is helpful. A twenty minute nap can be a rejuvenating treat as well. :)
While our circumstances + preferences will vary greatly, I think our thought processes can have something in common along the way. Self-care is not truly self-care if it leaves us feeling more stressed about our health, time or money. True self-care promotes true thriving. :)
Also in this series :: roots + time
Love,
Jane
We instinctively know that the true self-care comes from:
-moving...stretching, a few sun salutations, walking, yoga, whatever movement you enjoy
-getting into nature...walking, hiking + biking are great, but so is finding a shady spot for lunch...when it's hot sit on the stoop in the shade in the morning for a few minutes or at least by an open window
On these hottest of days...move, do yoga, or stretch under a fan...get the air moving. Play some vibey, soft music. Getting on the floor changes everything. Take a walk as the sun comes up. Play some happy, energizing music loud + dance. Sign up for a class or a membership, if it's in the budget + you know you'll go...but it's not self-care, if our budgets can't support it. ;)
Whether or not I feel like tying my shoes to go for a walk in the morning, the outdoor air always holds something to notice...heat, humidity, a breeze, a change. I feel small in the bigness of nature...even in my neighborhood. I usually walk with my girls, so there is conversation + closeness. And back at home, I feel like I've done it (!)...the chore of exercise no longer looms over my head. My legs + my lungs feel stronger. There is a lightness + usually a smile. Now that is self-care...no debt...no guilt...less stress.
A healthy diet, movement + a little time spent in nature can set us up for another crucial aspect of self-care...sleep. A regular schedule for bedtime + waking is helpful. A twenty minute nap can be a rejuvenating treat as well. :)
While our circumstances + preferences will vary greatly, I think our thought processes can have something in common along the way. Self-care is not truly self-care if it leaves us feeling more stressed about our health, time or money. True self-care promotes true thriving. :)
Also in this series :: roots + time
Love,
Jane
