There are many interpretations of what self-care is and how to go about it. One google away is a multitude of advice about how best to live your life. EXERCISE, EAT WELL AND SLEEP! Often people like to split up the different areas of self-care e.g. physical, emotional, social and spiritual. The trouble is, it is hard for anyone to know how to advise someone on something so personal. Only you know how and what changes you could make.
I believe that ‘self-care’ includes the concept of ‘mindful living’. Through living mindfully, you become conscious of your basic life choices. Simply put, mindful self-care is anything that we do slowly and deliberately, in order to take care of ourselves. Once we live in this way (consciously, deliberately and mindfully) we will see the positive impact on not only ourselves but others around us.
All too often, we can find ourselves mindlessly traipsing along on the treadmill of life, step after step, going through the motions, out of control. Self-care in its honest form is about taking back the reigns of the treadmill and slowing it down so you have time to think. If you drive a car, have you ever had to turn the music down so you can think well enough to cross a tricky junction? Turning down the music allows us to be more present and more deliberate. Once the music is turned down in your life, you can decide what is right for you and what you need. With honest self-care, you are making choices for your life with the intention of improving your well-being.
Some people find it useful to categorise their lives. Sleep, am I getting enough? Should I go to bed earlier? Diet, should I eat more veg? This may work for you and that’s okay. Sometimes though, this can be overwhelming trying to meet each of the categories ‘requirements’. One way to take care of yourself, deliberately and mindfully, is to adapt what you are already doing, one small thing at a time. Spend longer in the bath, spend less time watching TV, put one less sugar in your tea…
So next time you are doing something mindlessly… Stop. Breathe. Make a conscious choice. You can still eat chocolate and have a takeaway while being self-caring and improving your well-being. You don’t need to go on a strict no-carb diet. You don’t need to walk to work every day, but in the same breath, you can if that’s what is right for you. You do you, just do it slowly, deliberately, mindfully and consciously. This is NOT selfish.
Read that book that’s been on the shelf for a year, take that annual leave, go to bed early one night, have a takeaway with your family, wake up earlier to do yoga, colour that colouring book, get a mattress topper to make your bed more comfy, day dream, sit outside, borrow your friends dog, potter around the garden shed, write your diary, dance in the shower… you choose, your options are endless.