In our worlds we are often so busy looking after others that we forget to stop and look after ourselves.
In a world of social media and advertising it can be so hard to feel we have to live up to an ideal image or way of living. We have so much at our finger tips now but do we really need it 24/7.
Here are two pictures which I think speak volumes....
This first picture is a cross stitch that I am working on, the front of it to be exact, this is the image I want the world to see, its not perfect but its a lot of hard work and effort and I am quite happy with it, I might even go as far as to say I am quiet proud of it.....
This second picture is the exact same cross stitch, just the back of it.... its that part the world doesn't see, its messy, its tatty and cluttered . Its the part I want to keep hidden.....
Sound familiar?
We are all messy and complicated, the parts you see on social and other media are the parts people want you to see...
So what has that got to do with self care?... Its to remind you that all you see isn't the full picture. Its a reminder that we need to care for ourselves too as what we see as perfection most likely is not.
Self care can mean so many different things, there is no one set ideal way to care for you, its about doing what makes YOU happy. Don't get me wrong, I love caring and looking after others but there is that lovely old saying that you can't fill from an empty cup.
So what can you do to help YOU. I think the important part is little and often, if you can give yourself a whole day or week then brilliant but trying to squeeze that in can be hard so little and often allows you to almost drip feed love back to you.
-Try to eat healthy….yes I know!!! But even a sugar monster like me will admit that when I do eat healthily I sleep better, I have more energy and my mood is better.
-Learn to breath … I have mentioned breath a lot (There is a small blog on breathing) but we don't breathe deep enough most of the time, fill your body with the fresh air, it can make a world of difference, try to feel the air as it enters your body.
-Take a walk outside….being outside in nature is wonderful for your health, even if its just a five minute stroll on your lunch break, stand outside and listen to the world around you.
-Stand bare foot…by standing outside bare foot you reconnect to the earth and the elements, we are made up of the same elements as the earth, let your body recharge.
-Meditation…Give it a try, you might be pleasantly surprised....
-Crystals…these are a wonderful way of relaxing, look closely at them, they are often very complex colours and are a lovely way of beginning a meditation.
-Shower…when you grab a shower, take a moment to feel the water running over you, visualise it washing any worries away, see it cleansing you mentally as well as physically.
-Count your blessings…even on the days where things feel hard there will be something which you can be grateful for. Try finding just three things which you are grateful for, no matter how small.
-Try turning social media off...even if its just for a few hours a day. The time away from a screen can have a massive beneficial impact on your well being.
All these little things can be added together to make a huge impact on your life.
Another factor is change your inner dialogue…be honest with yourself, would you speak to your friends the way you speak to yourself? We can often be our own worst critics and as such be incredibly harsh to ourselves. It takes time and practice, but little steps at a time make a world of difference.
Most importantly don't be too hard on yourself....
