Self-care is subjective & multidimensional – this means that how we define self-care (what we need to create ongoing wellness and safety in our lives) is determined by our unique and individual needs.
For one person that may mean taking baths and working out; for another that may mean releasing toxic relationships and practicing saying “no” without feeling guilty.
Caring for ourselves should be wholistic – meaning it includes tending to different aspects of our lives that require our care: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, financial, relationships, boundaries, goals, and so on.
Today is meant to bring awareness and reminders that taking care of ourselves in the ways we need to and when we need to is an ongoing process. It is not always easy and sometimes it may feel as if we are being counter-productive. However, like any changes we want to make in life, this too is a process. There will be good moments and not-so good moments. Try your best to keep going.
And the best part? You can try as many times as you need to. Some guiding questions to consider:
-
What do I need right now?
-
What would be helpful for me?
-
What have I done before that I really enjoyed?
-
What are some areas in my life that I have wanted to modify?
-
Who do I feel safe with that can support me? How do I need them to help?
-
What are some areas or continuous experiences in my life that have left me feeling unhappy or frustrated that I can pay a bit more attention to?
If it is helpful, you can make a to-do care list and then set a small time aside once a week to check-in on your list and re-evaluate if needed.
And lastly, self-care does not mean that we have to do it all alone. Bringing other people we feel safe and comfortable with into our care practice is part of the process too.