Thoughts on Self-Care

Things are really difficult for many people right now, especially those concerned with social justice and empowering others. It feels like we are living in a constant state of waiting for the next emergency – while we are still dealing with the current one. The hits just keep coming. How do we keep moving forward in the midst of all of the things going on in the world and in our personal lives? How do we convince ourselves that the work we are doing to empower others is worth the chaos that work can cause in our lives?

I don’t always have the answer to that question. Like many of us, I have days where I can’t answer that question at all. However, I have found when I take small moments to focus on where I am at, to engage in self-care, I have a greater ability to keep going. Self-care, though, is such a funny concept. It seems so straightforward – just take care of yourself – but it can be so difficult when you find yourself in the middle of that chaos. It also looks different for everyone, which can make it confusing when you are trying to “just do some self-care.”

So, what does self-care look like? It looks like taking a moment to center yourself, to reflect on what you might need. It might be taking a walk outside; it might be making a doctor’s appointment; it might even be writing a blog about your doubts about self-care. Self-care isn’t doing one thing or another. It is taking the time to stop, consider your own mental state, and deliberately choosing to do something that helps you reconnect with your own self.

When we get so caught up in “doing” the work, we loose sight of why we are doing the work. We loose sight of our core self. Taking that quiet moment before we move forward can help us make decisions that are in line with our values, our beliefs, our core selves. Taking that quiet moment to center yourself can give you the connection you need to keep moving.

I constantly need to reaffirm that what I am doing is inline with who I want to be, not just the easiest path forward. It helps me to take a moment to remember the sound of the ocean, the sound that reminds me we are all connected. I’ll leave you with an image of the ocean, a reminder of my own self-care.

But, the real question is, what do you need to help you reconnect with yourself in times of chaos? I encourage you to take at least a few minutes every day to connect with yourself. Sit outside for a moment. Cook an awesome meal. Read a book. Whatever feeds your soul, your sense of connection to this world and everyone in it, do that. You and your contributions are needed; don’t allow the chaos in the world make you forget who you are.