Life Changing Personalized Self Care

EVERYWHERE you go Self Care is plastered on everything! Every other social media post contains these buzz words! With our new normal of teaching students at school and online while monitoring our own kids at home, and learning it all as we go, it’s no wonder all you hear is "Go pamper yourself, you deserve it!”

And, you know, you probably do!

BUT when the words Self Care come out of our mouths it feels exactly like a free pass to go spend exuberant amounts of money getting manicures, pedicures, and massages. Not to mention retail therapy buying all the things you don't really need to make you feel happy inside.

The fact is, I have absolutely enjoyed every-single-minute of each of these activities. BUT it’s afterward that I still feel the same way I did going in. (Only with pretty nails😉)

I struggle with the fact that, after I finally go and get these services, even though I enjoy them, I am right back to where I started, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Why is this? Do any of you ever feel this way? Manicures and pedicures don't solve anything that's going on in my head OR make my life easier.

Self care, I am learning, has nothing to do with occasional pampering and EVERYTHING to do with creating a lifestyle that allows for rest and enjoyment not occasionally, but often.

Here's how I personalize my own Self Care and how you can make it a perfect fit for your lifestyle:

First, take a look at this past year in your calendar. Comb through month by month, week by week, and day by day. Review all of the events that took place in your life. Make a list of what worked, what didn't, what you want more of, and what you want less of. {PRINT MY TEMPLATE HERE}

Then zero in on the things you really LOVED and want to do more of... Set this list aside.

{For example, activities that I love are long runs, date nights (or really any date with my hubby, even if it is to get the car serviced), coffee dates with my girlfriends, a good book and a bath, and movie nights with our kids. These things bring me the utmost contentment and joy. I feel relaxed, at peace, and the most myself when doing these things. They fill my heart and help me to rest and decompress.}

Now, add these activities into your calendar, liberally! Sprinkle them in more and more. As you do this, you will become more intentional about true Self Care until it becomes habit and you become happier.

You see, these are things you truly love, and they may not cost a thing. You can do them as often as you like. AND...You are more likely to schedule them in, because you look forward to doing them and they are not a burden. The truth is, by doing these things, everything else will become easier because you are building in time to decompress and doing things you truly enjoy, which is the ultimate, most personalized form of Self Care.

So this week, do your self a favor and make that list of the things you truly love to do. And then act, by sliding them into your calendar as much as possible. This type of Self Care will continually give back and help you to feel more rested and rejuvenated as you conquer the tasks of everyday life.

Always cheering you on!