What do you think of when you hear “self-care”?

I once thought of self-care as bubble baths, massages, my favorite chocolates, and things that were more…indulgent. Maybe they meant planning a large block of time or spending money.

Self-care is not self-improvement.

You are not broken.

You are enough as you are RIGHT NOW.

Over the past several years I have learned what self-care really is. It may include bubble baths, massages, and my favorite chocolates, but it’s really so much more.

Self-care is something that you practice daily.

With your thoughts.

Your energy.

Your actions.

And it begins with self-awareness and being able to see yourself clearly. Being aware of how something makes you feel and making the decision to let it in, or let it go. Are your actions aligned with your values, or are you following someone else’s rules?

As women, we tend to put our own needs on the back burner so we can take care of our kids, significant others, jobs, and other obligations. We are constantly changing hats, multi-tasking, quickly feeling drained and burned out. We’re so busy with what is going on outside of ourselves, we are disconnected from ourselves and what we need on the inside.

Self-care is moving your body, whether it’s walking, lifting weights, doing yoga, or something else you enjoy, but also taking time to rest, restore, and recover.

Self-care is eating foods that provide value and nourishment to your body and foods that taste good and make you happy.

Self-care is removing the toxic people or people that trigger you and building relationships with people who lift you up.

Self-care is nourishing your mind, body, and soul.

My hope is that you have or that you find balance. Understand your limits and set boundaries if you need to.

If you need help with implementing self-care practices, send me a message and let’s talk about if coaching is right for you.