I often see social posts about self-care that include pictures of scented candles, talks of mani-pedis, facials, and bubble baths, or pouring a big glass of wine. 🍷
While most people would agree that each of those is a pretty good thing, they’re not really the essentials of self-care.
They’re elements of short-term comfort.
Self care is more than that.
➡️ It’s taking care of yourself by doing what’s good for you in the long-term.
➡️ Eating what’s right, even though it may not always taste that great. (I’m talkin to you, tofu.)
➡️ Refusing to engage in office gossip, even though you think it’s fun. Yes, even when your boss has a glaring VPL (visible panty line).
➡️ Getting that so-awkward-you-only-tell-your-closest-friends-about-it annual exam. (Cause there’s nothing like stretching out your partner’s favorite orifice to kingdom come in the name of good health.)
➡️ Exercising, even though it might be physically uncomfortable. Like ‘I don’t even want to get out of bed this morning’ uncomfortable.
That’s pretty much what it looked like for me yesterday.
I kept my commitment anyway and went to the gym for my daily exercise.
Then I came home, showered, took more cold medicine, and took a little nap.
I chose to rest off my cold for a bit in order to have more energy to fully focus on my work. When my body says it’s ready to do it, not waiting until my primitive brain says it ‘feels like it’.
That’s my self-care for the long term. 😇