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We all love the idea of self-care, but seriously—who has time? A younger, hungrier, go-getter version of me would shake my head reading that statement. The more determined, more experienced, post-pandemic version of me sitting here today knows this is just an excuse.
Stress and burden
We are culturally indoctrinated to accept chronic stress as part of our life cycle. During that crucial stage of life between the ages of 20-50, we juggle college exams, the pressure to find a well-paying job, climbing the ladder, balancing career ambitions with our biological clock, starting a business, being a good leader. , parent, partner and friend.
All these stressors are a natural part of life, right? Well, I can agree that they are a natural part of life, but these events should not be so stressful. They only feel that way because the foundation that holds it all together isn't as strong as it could – and should – be. Building and strengthening that foundation can happen at any time, but the best time is now.
Our business-first culture glorifies the outward face of success while often ignoring the sacrifices it took to get there. The body that carries us and the constantly spinning mind that feeds our brilliant ideas, they need rest. The problem is that we don't believe we can afford to stop on purpose and still be successful. That's because we don't know where to look for good examples.
Related: How it helps me learn to take care of myself to take care of my own business
The hunt for a role model of self-care
In my work, I have had the pleasure of interviewing several women who are taking care of themselves. I recently spoke with Erica Diamonda practicing professional who has helped many women including Arianna Huffingtonprioritize their well-being first. Diamond practices yoga and meditation to calm her central nervous system. I talked to Because of Dawnan entrepreneur who built a fitness empire by encouraging women to work through generational trauma through movement. These are just a few of the women who are showing us a better way to function in a world where overload is normalized.
Getting rid of bad habits
Before adopting self-care practices we see others imitating around us, there is a deeper work to be done. We must give up the bad habits we have accumulated throughout our lives. This can be especially true for women, having learned from our mothers that caring for others comes first.
If you could travel back in time and ask a housewife in the 1950s what her self-care routine was, she would likely tell you, “It's called Mother's Day.” Incidentally, Anna Jarvis campaign to recognize Mother's Day in the US it was financed by a shop owner. The business sector co-opted the holiday, and Jarvis spent the rest of his life opposing its commercialization.
The moral of the story is that when a holiday that was created to show appreciation for the most selfless people in our lives is exploited as a business opportunity, then our cultural priorities deserve a second look. It's time to take care of yourself again.
3 self-care tips to avoid overwhelm
Overwhelm is usually the entry point into a self-care journey. It's chronic fatigue, the inability to shut down, bumping into people for no reason. If you run a business, then you know how it feels. The good news is that you can incorporate practices that will strengthen your ability to move through potential stressors with more grace and with practice, avoid overload all.
- Don't make excuses: If you're experiencing congestion, don't wait to address it. This can lead to more serious problems down the road. Face it now and take one small action to address it.
- Practice mindfulness: This is a great way to say “be present”. Meditation has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels and is a common practice among burn survivors. Journaling is another great way to focus myself and has helped me tremendously over the years.
- Move more: Yoga, stretching, swimming, running, and walking in nature are all effective ways to get healthy relief from choking. Studies show so that once you get into a routine of movement, you'll be better able to manage stressful events without succumbing to overwhelm.
From self-care shame to shameless self-care
The voices urging our need for self-care have never been louder, and that's a good thing. However, it also means that self-care has become a double-edged sword. We are almost ashamed of it.
If you're an entrepreneur and you've been interviewed, no doubt “What's your self-care routine?” the question is raised. Knowing what it takes to run a business, balance relationships, and do and be all things, it wouldn't surprise me if half of us aren't lying about our self-care habits.
We need to really step back and look at how we plan our day. Time is currency, and being busy doesn't mean we're important or even doing important things. When we see burn marksstart a conversation We need to do a better job of supporting a balanced lifestyle among our professional peers.
Related: 5 Self-Care Habits of Every Successful Entrepreneur
Find what works for you
There are a billion methods, books, podcasts, and workshops designed to help you adopt a self-care practice. The problem is that we are all individuals, so there is no perfect formula for the masses. Finding what works for you starts with unlearning behaviors that don't take into account your well-being and changing the cycle. Then, you just have to try different self-care hats and see what fits.
If something works for a while, know that it may not work the same way in three years. Pivot, but don't give up. Self-care is not a simple thing. One size does not fit all. It's personal and it's an ever-evolving, ever-integrative process. Start with what is possible for you now. A solid foundation of self-care that will help you live and work more sustainably starts with one achievable step at a time.