Put yourself at the top of your to-do list every single day and the rest will fall into place.
– UNKNOWN
Do you ever feel that external pressures become so burdensome that you simply cannot find a minute in the day to do something for yourself? Would you like to fill your days with more joy, energy, appreciation and success? Then make today the start of a healthier, more sustainable and happier life by getting comfortable with self-care. Let’s dive into some wisdom from founder and co-author Lyndall Mitchell and Shannah Kennedy.
Self-care is a movement against mediocrity. It involves actions that support your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth. When you practice self-care, you are honouring life and loved ones. Self-care is what restores us, nurtures us and refuels us so that we can shine brightly with energy and confidence.
Self-care is tuning in and helping yourself before turning your attention to others. It is not about being self-absorbed, it is about getting in touch with yourself, your wellbeing and your happiness so you can show up each day with a full tank. Self-care and self-love are intertwined, and together they allow us to push through limiting beliefs, build inner strength and resilience, give and receive love freely and live a wholehearted life. To sink into intimacy, we must honour ourselves first. To create a healthy family connection, we need to take care of our needs first.
Refuel and restore yourself with these self-care kick-starters:
1. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF
Judging yourself against others is a neutraliser to self-love and depletes your energy.
2. TAKE DAILY ACTION
Address your basic needs. People high in self-love nourish themselves daily with healthy activities, clean nutrition, exercise, good sleep patterns, deep connection, respectful boundaries and healthy social interactions.
3. BE GRATEFUL
Take ten minutes every day to sit down, breathe deeply and think of all the amazing reasons to be happy.
4. FORGIVE YOURSELF
We are so hard on ourselves. To truly love yourself you have to acknowledge that no human is perfect. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow.
5. CONNECT WITH THE MIRROR
You are your best friend. Look at your best friend staring back at you with kindness, compassion and celebration. Acknowledge yourself every day.
6. RANDOM ACTS OF SELF-KINDNESS
Go gently and celebrate yourself by buying flowers, taking a relaxing bath, booking a massage, lighting a candle and meditating on gratitude.
7. PRIORITISE YOUR REFUEL
Rise early and move swiftly. Get to bed early and embrace gratitude. Raise the bar with the most basic of human needs; the rest and sleep your body needs to repair itself, to restore, to be able to tackle stress with gusto. Commit to the downtime your body and mind need to feel alive and fuelled for take-off each day.
We can all initiate change through small daily actions that align with our deepest desires and passions and fuel our body, mind and soul. These are acts of self-care. They lead to mental and physical strength, natural optimism, resourcefulness, harmony and the awe-inspiring life that awaits you.
