The truth behind self-care

A lifetime journey

I think I never heard the words “self-care” so often as in the last few years. It’s trending, an adorable topic to talk about on social media: “Feeling anxious about work? Make a clay mask, you'll feel better in a minute”. I do believe self-care is one of the most important things in our lives. Just as much as I believe that clay masks can be wonderful for our skin. However, I fear the real meaning of self-care might have got lost.

Self-care is about really listening to your mind and body and finding out how to be your best self.

How?

Step 1 Awareness. Realize what works for you: journaling, meditating, taking a few walks alone, talking to a therapist, etc. What all those things have in common? It’s not about following a secret recipe that will make you feel good. It’s about learning to listen to your inner voice, and understand what YOU need.

Step 2 Take action. Replace bad habits with good ones that will bring you the same or even more pleasure.

Step 3 Find joy feeling reconnected with yourself. Rinse and repeat for the rest of your life.

“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel “burnout” setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.”

-Dalai Lama