Defining Self Care

I really think that self care is the key component to a happy life, and so I thought it would be fun to see what everyone's definition of self care was. We are all so unique and we all live varied lives. And this means that our definitions will all be different.

If you are a new mom, self care might mean taking a nap while your baby sleeps.
If you are a busy mom with older children, self care might mean practicing deep breathing while waiting in the car pool lane.
If you are a business owner, self care might mean delegating tasks so that you can ease your own workload.

How do you define self care in your own life?

Does it mean taking time for yourself, which could include relaxing and rejuvenating?
Does it mean listening to your inner voice and setting boundaries with others when needed?
Does it mean taking care of your body by eating nutritional foods, resting when you are tired, and remembering to take deep, full breaths?
Does it mean taking a hard look at your schedule and realizing that you simply must eliminate certain tasks because you are in fact only one person and it's just not humanly possible to get it all done?
Does it mean waking up an hour earlier so you are guaranteed to have a peaceful morning?
Does it mean saying no when you don't want to do something but would normally have said yes because are a people pleaser?
Does it mean taking time to go within and really getting to know yourself?
Does it mean scheduling appointments that you have been putting off, running errands that are on your mind, and checking things off your "to do" list so you can have a more peaceful, quiet life?
Does it mean taking a day off each week where you only do what you want to do?
As you can see, there are so many ways that we can define self care and what it means for each of us.

Here are some of the ways I define self care in my own life:
I set aside every morning for myself.
I schedule this time into my calendar, and it isn't negotiable.
I write. I go within. I drift through my morning in a calm way and a slow pace.
It's my time to do with as I wish.

I take one day off of work per week.
Until recently, this wasn't a given in my life. Working from home tends to blur the boundaries between what is work and what isn't work. And while I'm still setting the boundaries to make them more clear, I do take one day off to read, hang out, and just be Jodi - not the owner of This Is It! Creations.

I eat food that nourishes me.
Fresh, healthy food that makes me feel energized and alive.

I focus on what I love and say goodbye to the rest.

There is always timer
So often I hear people say that they just don't have time for self care. That they are simply too busy and how could they possibly add something else to their schedule?
I guarantee that by making time that's just for you, you will have more energy and will be more clear about what kind of life you want to live. I know that you don't want to live a life where you don't matter at all.

Start small and see how it feels. When you go to the bathroom, take an extra couple of minutes to think of what you are grateful for, to take full breaths in and out, to say your affirmations. When you are at the grocery store, get yourself one healthy treat that will make you feel good to eat.

Show up for your own life, and I promise the schedule will work itself out.