Throughout this journey I will focus on many parts and specifics about self-care. I find it hugely important to the recovery process, no matter what stage of it you are in, or if you are in the recovery process at all! Either way, we all need self-care to grow, to thrive and to be joyful in live.
In many cases, you can find self-care broken down in 6-8 categories to make it easy to focus on and to help your spiritual and physical journey. Right now, I want to do a birds eye overview of what these are, what they look like and over the coming weeks, we will begin to take a deep dive into what they mean, and share examples of what they can manifest as to help you live your best life.
In no particular order…
The first is Financial. Focusing in saving more than you spend and budgeting wisely. That seems easier said than done for most of us, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, we can do it. I have some tools in my back pocket that I will show you as we focus more on this pillar.
The second is Mental. Now this is not really mental health, but more helping stimulate the brain by reading books and solving puzzles. I’ve already started my 2024 reading list and have committed to reading 10 books in the new year. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but for me and my schedule, that’s a huge commitment that here, now has accountability! *wink
Third is Physical. This pretty much speaks for itself by walking, getting exercise, doing yoga. If it’s a nice day outside, take it one step further and take in nature. Enjoy Earth’s oxygen and sunshine. There’s no replacement for the dopamine that comes from nature. If you aren’t able to enjoy the true outdoors, you can still get up and move. Do whatever feels good to you and what you are ABLE to do. If you need to start off easy (due to an injury or otherwise) do so, but don’t use excuses not to move. I love the mental and physical because they play such an integral part in this together. Do you agree?
Fourth on our list of birds eye self-care pillars is Emotional. This can be expressed by writing in a journal, writing a gratitude list, sharing your feelings with someone you trust or possibly if you are feeling down, listening to songs that will induce crying to get it all out. I’ve done that before and although it sounds depressing, once you are able to get it all out, you feel much better once it’s all over. You will find releasing those emotions either by getting them out on paper, by spoken word, or by releasing the tears is such a powerful thing.
Fifth is Spiritual. If you feel called to pray, pray. If you feel called to meditate, meditate. If you feel called to be mindful and write, then write. But connecting to a higher power and tuning into yourself and your mind and soul is huge for self care. You can find what you need by releasing the thoughts that hold you back and that will lead to energy that you might not have known you needed. I know that has worked for me. Meditation and Mindfulness are a big part of my personal spiritual journey and I know I will continue to work on this practice more and more as I lean into my self-care and self-discovery journey. What do you practice?
Last on this list for today is the Social aspect. This includes spending time with family and friends. That’s really it. Not closing yourself off and being able to let loose and have fun and being able to forget about some of your troubles and worries and release some serotonin. Throughout my own personal mental health struggles and dealing with all that, I have enjoyed being alone. I like it. But the other half of me has a need to be with my friends, and I have missed that dose of social serotonin that I get from laughing until I can’t feel my cheeks. So I have learned to balance. I have needed to learn that, or re-learn that.
Who doesn’t love the idea of self improvement? And that’s what self-care is to me. Taking care of ourselves so we can improve. There’s so much more to each of these pillars, some physical tools that come with each one, some mental tools, and some ideas. I hope that the above will at least get you inspired for what’s to come later on down the road and join me on this journey of self improvement. Let’s do it together.
The goal of these blogs is to set intentions and to manifest a beautiful and purposeful life! To find beauty in the ugliest of places and to find light in the darkest.
Come with me on this journey as we discover a pathway to healing, health, purpose and joy!
And remember: Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive!
Awaken Your Soul's Potential 