I Deserve to Take Care of Myself

Self care is delightful when it comes easily but can turn into just one more thing to do if we aren't mindfully approaching tending to ourselves. I definitely know when my self care is lacking - I get impatient, frustrated and exhausted - a few years ago it even took me down the path of feeling debilitating pain. At that point in time, I thought I needed an hour at a time to take care of myself, to tend to my energy. What I have found is that at this point in my life - an hour all at once - isn't always possible. So, I started finding pockets of self care. Five minutes to sip a cup of tea, 10 minutes to read a book, 3 minutes to close my eyes an breathe, 4 minutes with my legs up the wall and then longer periods of time walking or calling my sister, sending a text to a friend. All of these things gave me a boost of self care - AND I could find pockets of time every day. Consistency was more important to my energy than length of time. Consistency is what started to heal me. Finding 5 minutes instead of an hour was a whole lot more attainable and then when I started finding 5 minutes every day...all of a sudden I started experiencing MORE time. My self care practices led to MORE time somehow. It was magic, but not really - it was simply that by taking care of me, I had more energy to take care of the world of beautiful humans around me.

Our mantra for the week is...

It is possible to take care of myself.

I deserve to take care of myself.

I am learning to tend to myself with love and gentleness.

Our journaling prompt is…

What does self care look like to me?

Am I making time for self care on a consistent basis?

What does self care feel like in my body?

And our meditation is...

Find a comfortable seat. This can be sitting on the floor, in a chair. This can be laying down or even standing with support. You can choose to keep your eyes open or close them gently.

Connect to the sensation of your breath. Say "I am breathing in. I am breathing out." for 7-10 breaths. Be here in the breath.

It is possible to take care of myself.

I deserve to take care of myself.

I am learning to tend to myself with love and gentleness.

Continue to say these statements, watching the response in your mind, your body, your heart. Using your own words, continue to express your openness to self care and loving kindness. Allow yourself as much time as you need to listen to what your body, mind and spirit need.

Pause and allow yourself plenty of time to slowly return to your day.