The term self-care has been buzzing around for a while, but it's making a resurgence during these challenging times learning to balance life in new ways.
But does self-care mean bubble baths, bonbons and binging? Is it a euphemism for self-indulgence, an excuse for selfishness, a justification for laziness, or even narcissism?
To me, it's the core of what's truly deserved, what supports your being.
Self-care is doing what you intuitively sense will help bring balance and harmony to all aspects of your life -- physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually -- to lead you toward overall well-being, ultimately supporting your Higher Purpose in being alive.
Rather than forcing yourself to do something because it’s supposed to be good for you, it's something intuitively sensed. Like pushing yourself to take “me time” when you actually want to work; eating ice cream when you’re craving vegies; or coercing social interaction when you just ‘vant to be alone.’
You may've noticed that once something turns into a should it becomes a burden, a dreaded chore. Like, the difference between you should go to the gym VS you get to go to the gym.
Prioritize Self
Bumping yourself down to the bottom of your priority list happens far too easily, especially when others depend on you. Additionally, spiritually minded folks probably recite the maxim “I am here to serve.” But deserving to serve yourself is equally important.
The key is being attune with yourself; more so, being radically truthful about your self-care motives. Is your choice of self-care pure or is your ego craving something? Are you covering up fear, avoiding something by that soak in a tub? What are you really trying to prove or state to others by your self-care choice?
Balancing Act
Maybe this crash-course pandemic allowed you to discover what you really need. Whether a mid-day snuggling session with your dog/cat/child/spouse, a hobby you were putting off until retirement, or a driveway moment to breathe before going through the front door -- big or small, they're all important.
Think of yourself as a garden.
Without air, sun, dirt and water, ignoring the onslaught of weeds and destructive insects, gardens are destined to shrivel. Deserve to receive what nourishes your garden with the intention of serving others from the bountiful harvest of YOU that results.
True self-care is about saying no without feeling guilty and saying yes to what you truly deserve.
And, it could be creating a life that supports you so much you don’t need to get away from it.
You can’t fake that with bubble baths. _________________________________________________________________________________________
Royce Morales, a renowned transformational facilitator, developer and teacher of Perfect Life Awakening, offers unique, breakthrough, spiritually-based tools to discover and resolve the roots of self-sabotaging, negative inner programming. This profound inner work awakens and transforms you by overcoming limiting beliefs, shifting your consciousness and resolving what's keeping you from a life of deservingness and true joy.
Royce offers remote group classes, an e-course and private inner journey sessions using her empowering spiritual clearing techniques.
Contact Royce for a free fifteen minute consultation to see if this inner-journey work is a good fit.
Royce is the author of three fascinating books about her teachings: “Want: True love, past lives and other complications;” “Know: A spiritual wake-up call;” and “Back: Rebirth After Stroke,” all available on amazon.com
Her website is www.RoyceMorales.com and Twitter is @RoyceMorales. She can be reached at LvsreaL@aol.com