Sometimes I think self-care gets a bad rap. It’s like it’s unrealistic or just woo-woo for some people. I don’t think it has to be either. I talk often about what self-care is but let’s talk about what it isn’t. There are a bunch of myths out there about self-care. Let’s debunk a few, shall we?
Self-care is only pampering yourself.
Nah. It’s not ONLY pampering yourself. That can certainly be a part of it. So many feel like it has to be a day at the spa with massages and manicures. If that’s what you want it to be, that’s all good but it doesn’t have to be a luxurious thing to be self-care. An afternoon nap counts too – and it’s free.
Self-care is selfish.
As a mom, I had to contend with this one. I felt like I was taking something from my kids if I spent time doing something for myself. I had to shake that off. A friend helped me push past that. I had to learn to be OK with really taking time for myself and knowing that it was not only beneficial to me but for my family as well. A more refreshed mama is better for EVERYONE.
Self-care is expensive.
I don’t know about you but I don’t spend a ton of money taking care of myself. Most of the time, I do simple stuff. I brew a cup of tea, and I use one of my scrubs for my face and my body a couple of days a week. I read – a lot! All free stuff and all self-care.
Self-care takes too much time.
All of us lead very busy lives. If you’re anything like me, there’s always something you need to be doing. It’s a constant shuffle of the next priority. So it’s easy to see why self-care can be put on the list of things that take way too much time. If self-care is presented with a full day of a spa bath a home with bath bombs and oils and an at-home manicure and pedicure – it might feel less than doable. While I’d love to indulge in all of that, I just don’t usually have the time. One thing to try is to create a list of things you can do for yourself if you have 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, etc. Ideas could be a quick meditation, reading a few pages in a book you’re reading, or going for a quick walk outside.
Self-care must be earned.
Nobody gets to decide whether you a worth taking care of yourself. It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? When you frame it as taking care of yourself instead of self-care it seems silly to question it. Your mere existence means you’ve earned self-care. Proceed accordingly.
What myths have you heard surrounding self-care? Which ones have you believed?
