Prioritizing Self-Care
Self-care is not something to be done as an afterthought or when you have “extra” time; rather, it’s essential to your overall well-being. When you make a conscious effort to schedule time for yourself—just as you would for an important meeting or appointment—you affirm your own worthiness. You deserve this care, and when you give it to yourself, you’ll see how it positively impacts all your relationships and responsibilities. You’ll learn how to set clear boundaries for your time and how treating your self-care as non-negotiable will boost your energy, focus, and ability to engage with others.
Simple Ways to Start or Enhance Your Practice
If you’re not sure how to begin, don’t worry. You will learn practical, easy-to-implement strategies. A key takeaway is that you don’t have to make huge changes all at once. Start small: even five to ten minutes a day doing something that makes you happy can make a significant difference. We’ll help you brainstorm a list of activities that “light you up,” encouraging you to set aside specific times to enjoy those things.
Why Self-Care is Essential
We’ve all heard the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” but how many of us actually live by that? If you are the type to put everyone else’s needs first, only to find yourself depleted emotionally, physically, and spiritually, you’ll be glad to know that self-care isn’t selfish! You can learn how to avoid the trap of sacrificing your well-being for the sake of others. Shift your mindset, recognizing that when you take care of yourself, you become a better partner, friend, parent, and colleague.
Joy as Your Compass
Joy makes an excellent compass for decision-making. You can integrate this idea into your own life so that you choose activities, commitments, and relationships that bring you joy, and stay away from those that drain your energy. By aligning your self-care practice with joy, you’ll find that not only does your quality of life improve, but you’ll also radiate positivity to those around you.