When last have you had a morning where you woke up feeling like everything was just right? Like that time you felt you had it all down? Or that peace you felt because everything within you was in perfect harmony? What about when you had that glow that shined from the inside and showed itself in your glistening eyes?
It probably didn’t last all too long, did it? Sometimes we put in so much effort, and, when we start to feel the slightest bit of balance, we let it go.
Maybe our sudden imbalance comes from letting go because we think "we got it," so we don't really have to be intentional anymore. Or maybe it's that we forget how good it feels when we take care of ourselves, and instead remember how much work it takes, so we stop. It happens to all of us, but how do we stay in that good place?
The key is small doses of intentionality...
Your will to be intentional can’t be dependent on your mood. It’s not only for the days you feel like putting in the effort but way more for the days you don’t. Need a little motivation?
It is not something anyone else can do for you. Perhaps they could support you, but self-care is entirely your responsibility. And you hold all the power to experience it.
What Self-Care Really Is
We often hear about self-care, self-care, self-care. But do we actually know what that means? Yes, of course, taking care of ourselves... obviously, the definition is in the name. But how do we do it and why? In essence, it’s all about prioritizing yourself so that you can live a full life.
Aspects of ourselves that deserve our care:
1. Spiritual
Inner peace is one of the greatest experiences in a world as busy as ours.
It comes from something greater than ourselves. Something that is the source of our peace and hope. After all, at some point we get tired, so we need something bigger than ourselves and our limitations.
Try spending time in nature. When you take a moment to focus on the beauty that surrounds you, you can’t help but see that there is something bigger than you. It allows you to focus on some of the smallest creations of life that bring the most joy as you marvel at them. For me, my inner peace comes from spending time with Jesus. What is it for you?
“Be The Peace You Wish To See In The World!” - Martin Luther King jr.
2. Mental
Taking care of our minds is incredibly important. Everything we do passes through our minds and takes up capacity. Finding time to organize our thoughts, make better sense of things, and retain our sanity is vital. Try journaling, meditating, or talking to a good friend. Learn how you can protect your mental capacity HERE.
3. Emotional
This is one of the most important things for which to set boundaries, for ourselves and for others. It is also a big reason why you need to get to know yourself. This is not as simple as counting to 10. As humans, we are so complex we spend our entire life getting to know ourselves.
Learning about ourselves will help us to understand why we do the things we do and what it takes for us to feel loved, protected, and secure. If we don’t get to know ourselves, we’ll go through life in limbo wondering why we still do things the same way we have all our lives or why we still don't feel fulfilled.
4. Physical
What you put into your body is what you will get out. If you put junk in, you’ll get junk out. If you eat things that make you feel bad on the inside, they’re going to make you feel bad about the outside too.
Eat well (my personal struggle), drink enough water, try to sleep eight hours a night.
Our bodies repair themselves while we’re asleep. It’s like regular maintenance that is necessary for a long and healthy life.
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”
- John Lubbock
5. Social
“Surround yourself with people that inspire and encourage positive change in your life. Build a team in which you can work together to support each other and build better lives.”
― Avina Celeste. We are social beings, and by that alone, we function better when we are surrounded by good people. We truly are happier when connected to good people.
Take Away
Never skip out on something you may later thank yourself for doing now. How you feel on the inside is what will show on the outside. It will show in your mental and physical performance. It will show in your relationships. And it will show in whatever else you are involved in.
Here are some self-care ideas:
Get to bed early
Begin your day with lemon water
Take a hot bath with Epsom salts, candles, or essential oils
Play relaxing music. Here is one of my favorite combinations of relaxing sounds
Use a face mask, hair treatment, foot soak, or anything else you enjoy
Work out or move for at least 15 minutes
Read a book you’ve been trying to get to
Call a good friend
Sing aloud to your favorite song. It releases “happy hormones,” really.
Go on a relaxing walk in nature
Cook your favorite meal
Take a nap
Journal about it
The power lies in executing the small things. Challenge yourself to be intentional about what's good for you and to grow into a better you.
“The challenge is not to be perfect — it is to be whole.” - Jane Fonda
Thank you for your support on this site. Please don’t forget to share this post if you found something helpful in it. You’re an incredible being, and sometimes you just need a little care, so take it. It’s yours. You’ll thank yourself later. Much Love.
Broken to Beautiful. Where Your Pain Becomes Your Power.