4 Reasons Why Self-Care is NOT a Luxury

Our good friend Merriam defines self-care as: care for oneself…. pretty vague right?

NEWSFLASH - You can’t do everything!!

I used to think it meant bath-bombs and spa time or chanting in meditation with candles. I also thought it was only for people who had extra time on their hands. I thought I was an exception to this mythical idea of self-care because I was ‘too busy’ building a side hustle/wearing my many hats.

If you find yourself wearing a badge of honor for how busy you are and can’t find time for YOU - well I’m telling you to WAKE UP and just STOP! Self-care is for everyone and is absolutely necessary if you want to avoid burn out and be the best version of you.

1.You need boundaries.

Let’s be real. You are a go-getter and have a hard time saying no. Simply telling others, ‘thanks for thinking of me, let me check my schedule,’ is a simple (not easy) phrase to help you avoid overload. Take a minute to ask yourself if xyz lines up with your priorities and goals.

2. You must protect your energy.

Your energy, your creativity, your YOU is your secret-sauce, your superpower, and it MUST be protected!! You’ve heard the phrase ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’ and it could not be more true. I’ve been at a place of burn out, burning the candle at both ends. This left me feeling cranky, fatigued, and uninspired. Despite being busy beyond my freaking mind, I had never felt so unproductive at the same time. I was drained not just physically, but mentally.

3. Self-care can be FREE.

Spend an extra 5 minutes in your car before walking in to work. Clear your space and just be in the silence. Take a walk on your lunch break (despite having work coming out your ears) because trust me, it will still be there when you return. Turn your phone on airplane mode during your workout. Bake and eat not one, but two, of your mom’s homemade cookie recipe. YES, I am telling you to eat emotionally. I’m not telling you to eat the whole batch, but it is OKAY to use food for comfort, so long as it doesn’t lead to guilt and negative self-talk after. Maybe you finally make time for that friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with because you know how happy you will feel after seeing her (and enjoying a delicious latte - ok those aren’t free, but they should be).

4. We all have time.

Saying you don’t have the time is saying you don’t matter. YOU are worth it and it is absolutely essential that you put taking care of yourself at the top of your to-do list in hot pink pen with highlighter and stars across it. Self-care CAN be a whole treat-yoself day, but it doesn’t have to be. If we practice (key word practice) daily, it will become an intentional part of our life.

I challenge you to carve out at least 5 minutes per day to do something for YOU every, single, day this week. If you take this challenge, let me know how it goes, and more importantly, how you feel after!

Be sure to listen to Fit Friends Happy Hour Episode 87 on ‘Self-Care When You’re a Literal Stressball’ for more tips!