You get up every morning and start your routine wearing multiple hats. And as the day progresses you sink deeper in your responsibilities. Trying to finish up the items of your to-do list you always forget the most important task which is to – LOVE YOURSELF. Reason is simple. With so much on your plate already, where is even a scope to fit in this yogic and luxurious self care thing?
So every day you just end up pushing yourself at the end of your priority list. There is just one problem in this approach. And that is – self-love is not a choice but a necessity! A ‘burnt out’ version of you can give nothing to surrounding, your loved ones or even to your dreams.
"An empty tank will take you exactly nowhere. Take time to refuel"
Self-care is a simple act of loving yourself and it’s not, by any means, an act of being self-centred. Because by taking care of yourself you aren’t refusing to serve others or being cold towards them. You are just filling your own cup before you can pour into theirs.
A few simple tips on self care
Choose yourself
My dear exhausted mom, it’s okay to order a pizza for kids rather than making it from scratch. Dear overworked dad, it’s okay to spend a couple of weekend hours ‘alone‘. Oh dear best friend, it’s okay to refuse a movie night with your friends if you are ‘not in the mood‘. You can’t take care of others while neglecting yourself. It won’t bring the best out of you, rather burn you down eventually. So, if you can’t be the first, at least don’t put yourself last in your priority list.
Invest in your health
Fuel yourself good. Stop counting calories and start checking nutrition value in your food. Stay active. Look for a workout that cater to your needs and fits in your schedule. And again, don’t check the calorie meter but indulge yourself in an activity that you simply LOVE. When it’s enjoyable, you’ll be consistent and consistent efforts shall bring you results for sure. Don’t trade your sleeping hours for work or leisure. Sleep is non-negotiable.
Good vibes only
Laughter is contagious, so is positivity. Surround yourself with positive people. They’ll influence you, motivate you and keep you happy. Negative people on the other hand are energy suckers. Who need this additional stress to an already engulfed life?
Keep a journal
Journaling has countless benefits and the most obvious is self care. It’s a place where you can release your thoughts, draft your plans, record the dates, track your progress, spill your secrets and set your priorities. It’s like talking to yourself, looking yourself in mirror. It has calming effect on mind.
Say No
Since our childhood we have been taught values like empathy, caring for others, offering a helping hand. And as we grow up we associate all these values with saying yes to any and every request that comes our way. And every no comes with an explanation, apology or guilt. It doesn’t have to be.
So go ahead and say no to that colleague who wants to talk about their problem, when all you can think about is the presentation tomorrow. Go ahead and say no to a wedding invite when you are dealing with a break up. Say no to the neighbour who needs help in gardening when you had a sleepless night before. Say no to them and say yes to yourself.
Pick a hobby
Check out few definitions of hobby. You’ll find words like pleasure, relaxation, leisure, interest. Do you need any more reason to pick a hobby for yourself? Your hobby is a much needed distraction from regular work and key to happiness.
Be mindful of your needs and your limits. Be a better version of yourself.
- Love yourself as much as you want to be loved -