Self-care is a hot topic these days. Certainly, we’ve made some progress in that we talk about the importance of no longer running ourselves ragged, until there’s nothing left in the tank. However, in coaching sessions, the topic most women uncover is frustration with a relationship; they feel tired, stuck, lonely and often overwhelmed. They want help with their marriage, their parents, their craving for food, alcohol or people-pleasing.
Regardless of their area of concern, it always uncovers the same thing; the root issue of the frustration and lack of peace they’re experiencing, is their relationship with themselves. And most women aren’t even aware of that relationship. Therefore, they fail to realize it’s the key to the results they really want.
The pivotal point in a women’s healing and growth (including my own) is learning to develop and maintain a healthy relationship with herself. And that includes self-care. However, self-care means different things to different people.
For some women, it includes a massage, manicure or pedicure. And those things are great ways to nurture your relationship with yourself; it sends the message that you’re worth the time, energy and money, to take care of your wants and needs – and you are!
However, self-care also means speaking up for yourself, saying “no” to a lot of things, so you can say “yes” to the things that are most important to you.
One of my favorite ways to provide self-care is to connect with the best of friends – especially those that you consider “family” (whether you’re related or not). An outing with this particular group always provides heart-felt connections, laughter and fun – which are all very important to me.
At the same time I still struggle at times, to provide adequate fuel for myself, to relax and be still. I find encouragement, however, in the belief that we can be a work in progress and (at the same time) a masterpiece.
Maybe you’re not in the habit of focusing on your own wants and needs. If so, there’s no better time than today, to begin. And since your relationship with yourself is the foundation for ALL your other relationships, investing in it might be the best investment you’ll ever make.
