I have not posted in quite some time. I realized today that part of what was keeping me from posting was the pressure I was putting on myself to write the “perfect” post. And yet, writing for me is an essential part of my self care. Putting my thoughts down, supporting others, is my way of caring for myself. Writing helps me organize my thoughts, and writing for my blog, I am often hopeful that my words will in one some way brighten someone’s day by offering a sense of connection and useful ideas for living a fuller, richer life.
So this will be an un perfect post. I have given myself 20 minutes to share some of my ideas to inspire and encourage you to find ways to simply and actively care for your self in the midst of all the challenges life throws your way.
Take time to enjoy nature. As I sit here, I see the green trees dripping with rainwater. If you live in Vancouver, this is an easy act of self caring. To simply stop and enjoy the natural splendor that peeks through alley ways.
Ease up on yourself. You may feel the call to support your community, family, friends, you may be involved in social justice activities. Advocating for equality, healthy environments, loving acceptance of all peoples can be noble work. It can also re-open wounds when you experience micro-aggressions, rejection, and prejudice. Know that you are a human being with both resilience and limitations. Know your limit. How do you know your limit? That’s individual. Maybe it’s deciding that when you are losing sleep, feeling that churning in your stomach, feeling tearful…whatever sign you, you decide means to Stop and Reassess. Your health and wellbeing matter! Remind yourself of your worthiness, your dignity, your inner beauty, take time to honor your body’s need for rest, nourishing food, pleasure, warmth, and movement.
Take time to honor your mind’s need for rest, for nourishing ideas, wholesome imaginings, and playful exploration. If your mind feels consumed with thoughts of worry, anger, fear ask yourself what yourself what your mind needs to be at ease in the midst of living life.
Take time to honor your heart’s need for love, connection, for the experience of caring by others, to express it’s vulnerability. If you feel heartbroken by what’s going on in the world, your community, your family, what acts restore your heart to feeling whole again? Talking to a loved one? Asking for a hug?
My twenty minutes is up. I hope you found some ideas here to support you today. Take good care of yourself,
Maedean