3 Myths About Self-Care

Many (most?) women have been trained to believe that putting oneself first is selfish, or worse, arrogant. That it's better to sacrifice yourself. Even just looking for photos to convey self-care is an exercise in frustration -- if you search for "self-care", most are images of pampering, a spa, and products you need to buy. You don't need to spend a penny to take good care of yourself. Self-care does not equal capitalism.

Ladies: there is nothing noble about being a martyr. We simply can't pour from an empty well. Show up for yourself first, so you can show up for others and give from your excess. 

Here are 3 myths, and questions to consider about how you view self-care:

Myth: Self-care is a luxury

Reality: Self-care is necessary for your survival 

Think about it: you need to eat, drink water, and sleep in order to survive. The quality of our food, water, and sleep can directly affects the quality of our life - and our ability to survive and thrive as both individuals and a species. Redefine what luxury looks like.

Myth: Self-care = bubble baths, massages, retail therapy, mani/pedis

Reality: True self-care is an inside job, not something we buy, do, or schedule

There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of these. But these are reactive measures, and which treat the symptoms of what’s really underneath our need for them in the first place. When we look outside of ourselves to find healing, we disempower ourselves. Self-care is not a capitalist pursuit.

Myth: Self-care is selfish

Reality: Self care is really not about you. Like, at all. 

Caring for ourselves = caring for others, so we can more sincerely show up for our work in the world. When we don’t tend to our own wounds, we will bleed over others.

If you have more energy and are connected with a higher purpose, you have greater capacity to serve the people and causes you care about. Caring for your Self can be an act of resistance. Self-Care = Community Care

Questions to consider:

→  Who and what do I invite into my life? 

→  Do I prioritize solitude and introspection?

→  Do I honor my boundaries? If not, why not?

→  Am I treating the symptom, or the root cause?

→  What am I consuming? (Food, information, sounds, peoples’ energy…)

→  Does this (fill in the blank) serve my higher purpose, or is it a Band-Aid?

→  How do I regulate my nervous system, befriend my mind, and listen to my heart? 

→  How can I more fully + sincerely show up for my Self, so I can show up for others? 

How do YOU define self-care? What does this look like in your life?