The word self-care has been booming throughout media lately. Some refer it to the popular catchphrase "Treat Yo Self" from the show "Parks and Recreation" featuring the duo Donna (Retta) and Tom (Aziz Ansari) who spends every October 13th treating themselves, buying, and splurging on themselves. Yes, treating yourself is a part of self-care; however, many therapists and scholars have explored different ways of treating yourself besides the fun experience of shopping. Self-care is often defined as an action to focus on your self-being. This may include physical, spiritually, mental, social, professional, and emotional health. Donna and Tom may treat themselves through shopping, but they benefit their mental and emotional self producing a sense of instant satisfaction and rewards. They also embrace the most important thing, self-love. As said before, self-care doesn't mean shopping to your heart desire but taking care of yourself. This could be eating a balanced diet, listening to music, preparing the day for tomorrow's self, boosting yourself up for a big meeting. We often miss out on the little things to help ourselves, but acknowledging our worth is the first start. During my therapy time, my therapist always would say, "put yourself first" or "become your best friend." I would often struggle at putting myself last for loved ones and work. I would work over my lunch hour and volunteer myself to help out friends. I would do this because I love my friends, family, and job. But, I have forgotten to love myself, to be there for me. So, with hard work, I began to take lunches with my co-worker outside, away from the desk. I begin working on boundaries to address my needs, such as time alone to sit and relax. Through these little loving gestures to yourself, it creates self-care, and yes, financially self-care as well! So set aside an allowance for a candle from Marshalls instead of stress spending buying 10+ items, because I thought I deserved it, only to regret it later on. Self-care is valuing your hard work, such as reaching goals or achieving good grades. Overspending and emptying your account isn't self-care, but being aware is.
Now, as you look through these photos, picture yourself. If your thinking, I don't have the time to do these things. I want you to say. I do have time to do these things because I am my own time.
So why I am writing to you, I am writing to you because I want you to know you're worth it. You're worth your own love. It's one of the core reasons I created Honey Moon (Body&Spirit) to help you embrace yourself and the precious moments on earth with ourselves.
Please check out a few of my favorite books listed below to help explore the topic of self-care.
The Self-Love Work Book by Shainna Ali PhD
Learning to Love Yourself by Gay Hendrick
The Witch's Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
Disclaimer: Always discuss with a professional health provider for self-care methods that works for you. All information is provided is for general knowledge and for reading purposes only. Photos are not created by Honey Moon(Body&Spirit) LLC. This post is not sponsored by any named authors or programming television shows.
Comments