I hear the term “self care” thrown out there a LOT. In fact, I use the words “self care” frequently myself! Self care has the potential to help us sustain our health and our relationship to ourselves. But what is “self care” really – and how do we practice it?
I want to take a moment and unpack the concept of “self care” as I have come to experience and understand it in my life, in my practice and in my work.
There is more to self care than the “treat yourself nice” type of care. Consumer self care (spa days, pedicures, afternoons at the beach) can be yummy and nourishing, but by itself it only provides a quick fix from the stresses of life.
What form of self-care is deeper?
Deep Self Care
Deep self care is about having your own back and attending to yourself much like a parent would a child. It means getting real and making clear choices for your long-term wellness. This is capital S-elf care.
Sometimes self care is pretty and smells good. But sometimes this kind of consumer self care only scratches the surface of what we really, deeply need. While it may be pleasant to spend a your day at the spa, we may found ourselves replaying out habitual stress patterns the very next day. When we look at our lives more holistically, maybe a better form of true self care would be to create a spreadsheet for your monthly budget or dig into that relationship that isn’t really serving you anymore… get my drift?
Self care is care provided “for you, by you”. It’s about identifying your own needs and taking steps to meet them. While it may involve a spa day, it is also about taking the time to do the activities that nurture you and support your priorities. And it is so much more. It is practicing your ability to survive and thrive and by building your intuitiveness and resilience.
Take some time to connect to yourself and get clear on your true self care needs. At times, this may lead you to delight in simplicity without having to buy, consume or add anything. At other times, you may be guided to a specific food, a practitioner, a city, a task (that budget, for example), a class or a massage.
Sacred Ritual
Self Care is a sacred ritual.
Any action that you take that has meaning and effects beyond its surface appearance. Health and happiness are not things that comes ready made; they arise from your own actions: your intentional, mindful and powerful actions. The choice is always yours.
If you’d like to learn more about creating your personal deep self-care strategy, I’m offering complimentary 30-minute sessions through September 30 in Vancouver or via Skype. It’s an opportunity to get clear, define your deeper needs, and set your priorities for a sustainable fall and winter.
