Self care is not selfish. It’s impossible to be who we’re supposed to be in the world if we aren’t who we’re supposed to be to ourselves. When I first learned this lesson, I had to make a list of possible ways of self-nurture because in the crunch, everything went right out of my head. I’ve had so many conversations this week where we ended up talking about baseline self-care that I decided to share my list. When I’m feeling lower than whale poop, like nobody likes me, everybody hates me and I might as well eat worms, I know I need a dose of self-mothering. Some nice things to do:
• Slather on sweet-scented lotions or oils
• Light a scented candle
• Go to the library, wander through the stacks and take out whatever speaks you—a whole pile of novels, memoirs, travelogues. Don’t forget the section of movies, music and books on tape
• Pick up new do-dads for your hair, a new hairbrush, a different conditioner while you’re food shopping
• Send thank you notes to people who’ve done something nice for you. Send one to yourself in the mail
• Pet your dog or cat
• Get your hair cut just the way you like it
• Schedule a massage. Too pricey? Start saving up. Make a jar and put a few bucks in whenever you can
• Drink a cup of hot herbal tea
• Call a trusted, nurturing, supportive friend
• Go to meditationoasis.com and listen to a guided imagery.
• Have a nice nap
• Take a walk in a nearby nature site—or around your back yard
• Tend your houseplants
• Color, in a coloring book or on a blank piece of paper. Don’t forget to breathe in that eau de Crayola!