Last week I mentioned that I hate the plethora of #selfcare quotes and tips (that you'll find everywhere) because they're overly simplistic and don't tell you HOW to start fitting self-care into your daily life.
If you missed last week's email, Friend, go here to read it (you need to understand the mental aspect - covered last week - before moving on).
Today, we're getting into how to start prioritizing self-care.
What Self-Care Really Is
Before we get into HOW, you need to understand what self-care is. Because most people get it wrong.
Self-care isn't about escaping (or even indulging). The point of self-care is so that you don't feel the need to escape your life!
And it's waaaayyyy more than exercising and eating well.
Self-care is about taking care of your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Think of it as doing something that: - helps you feel energized, physically fit, and strong;
- makes your mind clear, present, and sharp; and/or
- keeps you emotionally in control and feeling spiritually well.
It's a way of living.
How-To Start Prioritizing Self-Care: 3 Steps
There are three important steps to start prioritizing self-care.
Step #1: Self-Assess
Perhaps you love working out, yet your mind is often racing (rarely focused). That means that you're doing well in the physical self-care arena, but not so good when it comes to your mental self-care.
The simple fact is this: you're stronger in some areas than others.
You need to identify where you are on the self-care spectrum for each area of self-care so that you know where to focus first (for the quickest positive change) and what comes more naturally to you.
If this seems overwhelming, don't worry (I have a resource that takes you through all 3 steps below).
Step #2: Identify Your Self-Care Style
Your self-care style is simply what works best for you that you enjoy and can fit into your schedule (somewhat) seamlessly.
What are you willing to make time for? What do you like doing? What actually works (and what doesn't yet you keep doing it because you're *supposed* to)?
You need to enjoy self-care activities. Otherwise, you won't put much effort into them (which hampers results) and they won't stick
Try new things. Experiment.
Be sure to consider daily activities that could count as self-care yet you haven't been considering as such. And identify how you could make small tweaks to what you already do that would count.
For example, I've always worked a lot (being an attorney and a solo-preneur have that downside). Yet my schedule can be flexible and I take advantage of that with my boys.
I've learned that my boys open up and talk most when in the car. So, I take them to/from school and baseball as much as possible. This is a simple thing, yet a BIG deal not just to my boys but for me as well (it's an act of mental and spiritual self-care).
Step #3: Create Simple, Flexible Routines + Habits
It's time to put all the knowledge you've gained above together. Incorporate what you enjoy doing that constitutes self-care into daily routines and habits.
I recommend starting with a morning routine and an evening routine (and then adding additional habits and routines to the mix as you progress). Be sure to cover all aspects of self-care (mental, physical, and spiritual) throughout the course of a day.
The goal is to start making these activities a natural extension of you - a part of your daily life.
Whatever you do, please keep your routines simple and flexible. For example, your morning routine could include exercise and meditation. But how long you spend will vary, depending on the day.
Some days you might exercise for an hour, others you may only be able to get 10 minutes of stretching in. And your meditation could vary between 3 and 15 minutes.
Next Steps
You probably have some questions running through your head, such as... - How do I assess exactly where I am and what my style really is (especially when it comes to mental and spiritual self-care)?
- What if I don't have time to research all the ways to take care of myself?
- Can someone give me a simple guide on what to include in my daily routines?
I've got you covered.
Download the Essential Self-Care Toolkit below for your own self-assessment questionnaire, self-care style guide, and AM/PM routine guide. It even includes a list of 50 ways to take good care of yourself (to jump-start you with some good ideas).
Grab your copy here (no opt-in required):
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