Self-Care Is A Necessity, Not An Indulgence
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Thank you for returning to Be Your Own Date and choosing to read this blog post. It is intended to be thought-provoking and I hope that you get something meaningful out of it. If you are new to this space, I’d like to give you a warm welcome and encourage you to peruse my other articles afterwards. You are in the right place, if you could really do with some self-care inspiration right now. Know that you are a valued member of the community and if you appreciate this post, please share it with your loved ones.
Self-care is a necessity, not an indulgence | Graphic by Amy-Jo Lynch
Your self-care is a necessity. Looking after yourself is not an indulgence, nice-to-have or selfish.
With intention
In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on self-care with you, including what it means to me and how to weave it into your daily life, with the intention of spotlighting the importance of putting yourself first and inspiring you to make self-care (and wellbeing) a priority.
You may have a self-care routine in place, unsure of where to start or even feel a little uneasy at the thought of focusing on yourself. Well, I have a few gems to share with you and most importantly, I’m here to remind you that self-care is a necessity, not an indulgence, particularly if you are…
⚡️experiencing major changes in your life
⚡progressing at high speed in your career and feel like you don’t have the time and energy to take care of yourself (as much as you’d like to)
⚡️craving more balance between life at home and at work
⚡️following your vocation, often going above and beyond
⚡️thinking about other people’s needs before your own
⚡️busy with caring responsibilities
⚡️keen to consider new ways to go deeper with your self-care practice
⚡️feeling frazzled!
What is self-care?
Self-care is all about looking after yourself and acknowledging that you have needs which are important. Perhaps some of your needs are being fulfilled, whilst some of them are being neglected. Let's normalise giving ourselves the time and headspace to think about our values, sense of purpose, wants and needs and, quite frankly, loving on ourselves! Not only does this deepen our self-awareness, self-belief and self-love, but it can also have a positive effect on our ability to thrive and flourish in the different areas of our lives. This is why I am soooo keen to highlight a holistic approach to self-care and wellbeing at Be Your Own Date. Do the things that bring you joy and make you feel good about yourself, potentially leading you to step outside of your comfort zone. I’m not talking about what others may want for us, but what we truly want for ourselves. Be authentically you and true to yourself and you will know your power.
Pause: There's no time like the present…I invite you to take a moment to think about what you can do differently to honour your self-care today. This can feel empowering because it is on your own terms.
Self-care questions to ask yourself
Here are a few questions that I often ask myself in relation to self-care, especially when I am feeling stuck on what to do next…
✨️How can I nourish my body?
✨️What can I do to feel more energised?
✨️How can I look after my hair?
✨️What do I need to prioritise?
✨️What can I do to organise my personal space?
✨️What have I been putting off, that I can make a start on?
✨️What can I let go of that no longer serves me in a positive way?
✨️What can I read, listen to or do that sparks joy?
Look out for my future post on courageous self-care. And for additional support, consider 1:1 Wellbeing Coaching with me. A space for thinking and honest conversation in which you will receive support and guidance to explore possibilities, step into your courage and confidence, and move forward in life.
Self-care is not linear
Self-care is not a linear journey. When it is all getting too much, you may feel really motivated or so overwhelmed that you neglect to look after your immediate needs. Along with the practicalities of finding time to put aside for self-care when you lead a busy life, feeling able to practice self-care is also linked to your sense of self-worth.
You deserve to take care of yourself | Photo by Sapna Odlin
Acknowledging that you deserve to take care of yourself and, crucially, embracing it, is an important next step, especially before you can help others around you. Sometimes, this can involve being very intentional about dialling down self-doubt and negative self-talk, whilst making space to reframe thoughts and emotions more positively, nurturing self-compassion and self-acceptance. We can have a deeper conversation about this when we work together for your individual Wellbeing Coaching. I got you!
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Your dreams and aspirations
What’s keeping you up at night? What do you dream about changing in your life? Maybe it is time to share what’s on your mind. I empower ambitious professionals and entrepreneurs to take care of their wellbeing. Click the button below to book a discovery call and find out more about 1:1 Wellbeing Coaching and let's see if we are a good fit to work together. The best bit: this is a safe space to talk and you will be clearer on what you'd like to work on after our video call (or phone call if you prefer).
Final thoughts
☀️ The resounding message is that self-care is for everyone
☀️ Do what brings you joy
☀️ Consider taking the time to tune into your needs in the different areas of your life
☀️ Lean into self-compassion and self-acceptance, it can be easy to resist. You've got this!
☀️ Most importantly, and as the title states, I'd like to reaffirm that self-care is a necessity, not an indulgence. No need to feel guilty for prioritising you.
Be kind to yourself. Be Your Own Date.
~ Amy-Jo ☀️
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. For that, you will need to speak to your GP and/or local health provider.
