Though the term sounds incredibly simple, self-care encompasses a multi-faceted meaning. In the simplest of terms, it is loving, tender care provided by you, for you. Going deeper, it has the potential to change your life.

While bubble baths, tea, and a small new purchase may feel good in the moment, there is so much more depth to self care than meets the eye.

Benefits of Self-Care

Quality of life as a whole is affected by balancing giving and receiving. If you give more than you receive, imbalance will occur. Of course, there are times in life where you have to give more than receive, buts it’s important to remember to intentionally check in and reset.

The benefits of self-care outweigh the downside of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. We get to choose hiding behind the safety of people pleasing or stepping out in courage and speaking our truth.

You get to choose what gets in and what you keep out. Being more self-aware and self loving is the best self care of all.

• You maintain a heightened sense of overall well-being. When we are taking the reins of our own self care, we take responsibility for our own well-being. Nobody has enough agency over your well being unless you give them that power.

• Speak your truth, move your circles, redefine relationships, make new choices and, yes, sometimes walk away. 

• Improved Self-Esteem: When we think and feel well, we take action steps in a positive direction. Creating time specifically devoted to self-care provides the perfect avenue to steer clear of negative self-talk and beating ourselves up. Instead, we are moving in the direction of better health, which boosts confidence and self-esteem.

• More of You to Give: Being well-versed in self-care might seem a bit selfish, but it’s the complete opposite. Self-care replenishes your resources to be able to give. You can’t give away what you don’t have.

Where Do I Start?

Understanding the why of self-care is only the beginning. Hopefully, this knowledge will be enough to inspire you to actively incorporate some self-care into your life. Take some time for personal evaluation and remember, this is about you!

First, ask yourself some questions:

1. What simple pleasures makes me happy?

2. What activates joy?

3. When do I feel my best and with whom?

4. Most importantly, surround yourself with uplifting and encouraging people. Break the habit of being surrounded by the sometimes there for you, sometimes not, hot-and-cold, inconsistent, unreliable people who are oh-so-familiar. Be intentional about only allowing uplifting souls into your inner circle. Even if that means having only one or two good friends to start with, start there. 

Get to know yourself. Self-discovery is part of the whole process.

Based on your answers you’ll find the right direction for your self-care routine.

Self-care isn’t about anyone else; it’s about you and restoring your mind, body, and spirit. It’s about carving out time to rejuvenate your life and live a more purposeful and meaningful existence. It’s about you taking care of, honoring, and loving you! It’s about choosing who you let in and who you keep out.Don’t allow anyone to have negative agency in your life. That is scarcity thinking to believe you have to settle for crumbs because it’s better than nothing. With billions of people in the world, there is no reason for isolation or choosing less than you deserve. While relationships with others require navigation and communication, if you have given it all you can then consider taking all that energy and gifting it back to yourself. 

Your life will thank you for it.

If you want to take a deep, thoughtful, and meaningful dive into one of the best forms of self-care, try my award-winning book, Transformational Journaling for Mind, Body, Spirit.

If you haven’t picked up a copy of any of my journals, grab the link from my Home Page and get 10% off your first order.