Self-Care Is NOT Selfish (Or An Excuse To Over-indulge)

​Today let’s talk about self-care. What is self-care? If I polled 100 people, I am sure many would say chocolate, bubble baths, working out or sleeping. Self-care has all kinds of stigma and beliefs around it. Some people see it as selfish and something to be denied. Others see it as an excuse to over indulge. The reality is self-care is not selfish but is also not an excuse to over indulge. 
 
Instead, self-care is a time to take for yourself to recharge and reset so that you can show up well for yourself and those around you. Now, let’s be real. Self-care is not always fun or enjoyable but the end result is beneficial. 
 
Take therapy for example. Therapy is hard work and requires a lot of discomfort; however, the end result is healing that allows up to be better. The process is difficult when engaging in self-reflection and growth but the outcome is more regulated emotions, better ability to deal with conflict and resilience. 
 
Or going to the dermatologist. It is not the highlight of my week but it is a necessity. As someone who has had multiple areas of skin cancer removed, this is an act of self-love to take the time to get checked out and get those areas removed. 
 
Now, not all self-care is hard. There should be things built in our day that are easy and help us recharge. For instance, burning a candle in my kitchen is an act of self-care because seeing the flickering of the flame and smelling the scent of the candle is a reminder to take a deep breath. Using my favorite coffee mug while taking a drink makes me happy. These are small bursts of self-care built into my day. 
 
Self-care is also getting a pedicure, taking a shower without interruption and spending 10 minutes every morning in my daily quiet time. What are some ways that you practice self-care each day? Remember, it doesn’t have to be big and it isn’t always fun but the end result is recharging and being reset so you can show up in your life the way you want to be.