Let’s talk about demystifying this buzz word for a minute. It seems pretty straight forward, but there are a lot of misconceptions about this term and I’d like to take the time to unpack them. 

Self Care ≠ Selfish

First of all, self care is not “selfish”. The definition of selfish is “lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure” (Oxford Languages). Taking time to fill your cup doesn’t mean you’re lacking consideration of others. In fact, I’d argue that making self care a priority can be done in service of others. You know what they say, “you can’t pour from an empty cup” and sorry to be so cliche but it’s true. If you are depleted mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically you are less capable of supporting those around you.

You Deserve It. Period.

To be clear, you can make self care a priority whether or not you’re routinely supporting others. You are inherently deserving of care, comfort and nourishment regardless of the roles you may or may not fill. You don’t have to earn the right to prioritize your care.

It’s Whatever YOU Need

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s look at what self care means. If you go by what you see on social media you might think that self care is about spa days, bubble baths and massages and technically that’s not wrong. But it encompasses so much more. Self care can be tailored to each person’s individual needs and circumstances. There have been days where self care for me was getting dressed, taking a shower and eating a proper meal. You have to honor where you are, wherever that may be. There may be days where treating yourself to something luxurious is exactly what you need, and other days where going for a walk is all you can muster. And that’s ok. It’s easy to fall into the trap of beating yourself up for not doing enough, especially when we’re constantly comparing ourselves to what we see on social media. Giving yourself grace is also a form of self care, so cut yourself some slack and applaud yourself for whatever steps you’re taking, however big or small.

Take Action

Now it’s time to reflect. What does self care look like for you? Are you getting enough of it? What can you do today to take a step towards prioritizing yourself? Take a moment to jot down a few ideas then pick one.

Ready to find your way forward? Sign up for my Stress Strategies coaching package or schedule a free consultation at www.taylordwellness.org/shop