In normal times, there’s no one size fits all when it comes to our self-care routines.
In these intense times of change and uncertainty, this applies doubly so.
In my years of acquiring knowledge about self-care and trying to achieve optimal health I attempted to make my self-care routines look like someone else’s. I thought if it was working for the so-called experts, so it shall work for me.
I’m pretty good at self-discipline, so sticking to a routine comes easily to me. As great as this sounds, it also has a downside.
The “good girl” in me compelled me to check off all the boxes the “experts” had informed me to do…
Exercise 4–5 times a week. Check
Eat a mostly plant-based diet. Check
Meditate every morning. Check
Practice yoga every day. Check
The list went on…
I was diligently engaging in all these without a single check inward. They ultimately became those dreaded “should activities”. This was not the high vibe energy I was originally intending. And where’s the pleasure in this? Not to mention, I was basing my self-worth on whether I checked off all my boxes for the day. That feels like double yuck!
Yes, all these practices were great ones to make part of my self-care routine, but what I wasn’t doing was tuning into my body and asking what my body or spirit needed at that time.
Who’s now my biggest self-care expert? That would be ME — the only true expert of my health and well-being!
That doesn’t mean I don’t seek out the latest information or practices. I absolutely need to gather reliable data and different perspectives. Occasionally, I’ll try on a new practice for several weeks. But it’s my wise self who will ultimately discern if it feels super good enough for me to stick with.
You are your only expert! Only you can truly know what you need at this time on this particular day.
Not to mention, these are completely new times we’re living in which means what has worked for you in the past, may not be serving you at all now. We must continually check in with ourselves, over and over.
Tune inward to your wise self, the self who really knows what you need in each and every moment.
Listen to your wise body who has all the keys to your well-being.
I’ve been asking myself these questions — “What would really serve me best right now?” or even juicier, “What would bring me the most joy or pleasure?”
What is my self-care looking like during a pandemic?
I’ve taken it day-by-day and doing self-care like I’ve never done it before.
Some days the best thing I can do for myself is absolutely nothing, so it looks like a day of lying on the sofa with my book or Netflix and my favorite tea, with naps in between episodes or chapters.
One day I may desire to dive into my most pleasurable activities like journaling, painting, dancing, walking in the woods, and napping. Can you tell I like napping?
Another day I’ll know that checking a million things off my to-do list will feel best.
Whatever my self-care looks like, I give myself 100% permission and embrace it. Self-care mixed with guilt will never serve oneself.
What I still can’t live without and is a foundational self-care practice for me, is my grounding and clearing meditation. It’s like a good night’s sleep for me. So, holding on to this is a must in these times. What is your one practice that sustains you?
Go gently and know that whatever you’re choosing for yourself is perfect. There is no right or wrong way to do these shifting times. There is only your way! There is no room anymore either for judgment. If you’re going to choose a day of Netflix and naps, go all in. No guilt needed. This is where the joy resides.
What self-care act would bring you the most joy right now?
Wanting guidance with your self-care? E-mail me or schedule a free Discovery Call where we can explore your routines and tune into your own expert self.
Karen Tasto, CPC, helps women awaken and claim their feminine powers so they can live in the fullest expressions of themselves. She’s a women’s life coach, Reiki master, and women’s circle facilitator.