What are the first images that come to mind when you hear “self-care?” Bubble baths, massages, a night out with friends or perhaps a martini? We all have our own ideas of what we think about self-care, which is as it should be! The question is, when do we make time to do it?
Is self-care something you treat yourself to on a birthday or special occasion? Do you sneak in some self-care (glass of wine or perhaps lighting a candle) when others leave the house?
A colleague much wiser than me once told me, “Everyone knows what to do for self-care; they just have to do it!” In our over-scheduled lives, we tend to prioritize everything else BUT our own self-care. Work, childcare, appointments with all kinds of people. But do we schedule our own down-time, our precious “me-time?” or do we figure if we have a few free minutes, there is always something else to do that is more important?
Self-care took a back seat to just about everything else, until I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I had a bath! I have a tub, but I stopped buying fancy bubble bath and besides, showers are quicker and way more efficient. Baths take time!
And then I thought, yeah, baths should be long, luxuriating and relaxing. That is the point! What if I made an appointment for self-care and kept it, even though it was just for me? So, I did it. And I even lit some candles. And it was great!
As we continue to make our way through the added stress of living during a pandemic, it is more important than ever to take the time to re-fill our cups and nourish ourselves. Making the decision to practice self-care on a regular basis is no longer optional! We need it to live balanced lives and to relieve stress. To ensure that I prioritize self-care, each month around the time of the new moon, I created a kind of ritual after figuring out what I need. For me, this includes offering Self-Care Evenings for Women online each month, where we practice mindfulness and creative arts therapy. Are you ready to prioritize yourself? Because it is your turn.
To Register for upcoming Online Self-Care Art Therapy for Women, please visit www.carlarosearttherapy.com/register