Self Care
...are 2 words that I've come to find important together or on their own during this time of "stay-in-place." I've also learned that though it means something different to everyone, it is something that is necessary for EVERYONE.
SELF
Merriam-Websters Dictionary defines self in over 12 ways depending on which form of the eight parts of speech you are talking about (noun, verb, adverb, adjective, etc). But my favorite is this one: ": the union of elements (such as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person."
We are each our own selves; there is no one like us though we at times say things like "you remind me of (insert name)," or "you're just like your father/mother/etc." We may be like them but we are our own person. There has been or will not be another one of our person ever on this planet again with every single attribute, likes, dislikes, desires, gifts, body, mind, soul, etc. Again, we are our own selves. We are unique in our own absolutely beautiful ways.
But sometimes we don't see ourselves in that way. We compare ourselves - good or bad - to those around us, who we want to be, who we strive to be better than, or just to be someone that isn't us. Sometimes its difficult to accept ourselves - just as we are. The unique, wonderful, flawed, perfect selves.
CARE
It is quite interesting that Merriam-Websters definitions of care seem to have more of a negative connotation to most of the 11 given. But I chose this one as my favorite: a disquieted state of mixed uncertainty, apprehension, and responsibility. To be in a state that makes you feel something for someone or something enough that you want to do something about it. Sometimes you don't know how to help or care but you feel you need to. Its an emotion that gives you some pause to say "something is not right" enough that you want to help or take responsibility to fix it. In my opinion, though its a positive thing to care about someone or something, it requires you to have some sort of negative or "apprehensive" emotion in order to feel enough emotion to take action.
Wow! I never thought of it like this before. In my simple mind, something has to go wrong to want to make something right. That's how I think about it.
SELF-CARE
"Care of one-self" or more specifically, "health care provided by oneself often without the consultation of a medical professional," as explained by Merriam-Webster. In my terms, to do something that makes you happy so you don't go completely crazy. Being kind to yourself. Loving yourself.
We are all unique and unlike any other as we already know - and that means we have different ways in caring for ourselves. Whether thats having a spa day, meditating, exercising, wandering leisurely around the neighborhood, taking naps, taking a day trip, being with a friend, playing a sport, watching a movie, going to a counseling session, seeking advice from our pastor, priest, spiritual advisor, etc, it does not matter what we choose - it matters that we do something to care for ourselves without expecting someone to do it for us. And then to take the time out - from everything and everyone around us - to actually do it and care for our self. Not letting any of the stigmas that are put on these things get to us (and with things like counseling, spiritual counsel, or just doing things that people think are lazy but are what you need to relax, it's all really easy to buy into the human-created stigmas).
So though I'm not a therapist, or have done extensive research, and this is not a professional blog to help people, I wanted to get my thoughts down in social media land in the chance that it helps someone have a better day. And my encouragement in ending this blog post is that whoever reads this will do something today - and each day forward - that is self care to them. It doesn't have to be more than even a minute of peace to yourself - that works. But it is a minute to care for yourself in whatever way you need. (As an example: The Calm app makes it easy and gives you little 15 and 30 second times of asking you to not do anything for that length of time - and now they are broadcasting those as advertisements on TV! So cool).
Today, my self-care is writing this blog (mental health), I took a walk for an hour (physical health), I'm going to make something I've never made before - Orange cake - (spiritual health - yes, food can be spiritual), and I'll be doing some fun virtual dancing with my bosses and students later for a Hawaiian virtual party (overall mental, physical, spiritual, soul-FULL health!).
What are you going to do to self-care today???
SELF
Merriam-Websters Dictionary defines self in over 12 ways depending on which form of the eight parts of speech you are talking about (noun, verb, adverb, adjective, etc). But my favorite is this one: ": the union of elements (such as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person."
We are each our own selves; there is no one like us though we at times say things like "you remind me of (insert name)," or "you're just like your father/mother/etc." We may be like them but we are our own person. There has been or will not be another one of our person ever on this planet again with every single attribute, likes, dislikes, desires, gifts, body, mind, soul, etc. Again, we are our own selves. We are unique in our own absolutely beautiful ways.
But sometimes we don't see ourselves in that way. We compare ourselves - good or bad - to those around us, who we want to be, who we strive to be better than, or just to be someone that isn't us. Sometimes its difficult to accept ourselves - just as we are. The unique, wonderful, flawed, perfect selves.
CARE
It is quite interesting that Merriam-Websters definitions of care seem to have more of a negative connotation to most of the 11 given. But I chose this one as my favorite: a disquieted state of mixed uncertainty, apprehension, and responsibility. To be in a state that makes you feel something for someone or something enough that you want to do something about it. Sometimes you don't know how to help or care but you feel you need to. Its an emotion that gives you some pause to say "something is not right" enough that you want to help or take responsibility to fix it. In my opinion, though its a positive thing to care about someone or something, it requires you to have some sort of negative or "apprehensive" emotion in order to feel enough emotion to take action.
Wow! I never thought of it like this before. In my simple mind, something has to go wrong to want to make something right. That's how I think about it.
SELF-CARE
"Care of one-self" or more specifically, "health care provided by oneself often without the consultation of a medical professional," as explained by Merriam-Webster. In my terms, to do something that makes you happy so you don't go completely crazy. Being kind to yourself. Loving yourself.
We are all unique and unlike any other as we already know - and that means we have different ways in caring for ourselves. Whether thats having a spa day, meditating, exercising, wandering leisurely around the neighborhood, taking naps, taking a day trip, being with a friend, playing a sport, watching a movie, going to a counseling session, seeking advice from our pastor, priest, spiritual advisor, etc, it does not matter what we choose - it matters that we do something to care for ourselves without expecting someone to do it for us. And then to take the time out - from everything and everyone around us - to actually do it and care for our self. Not letting any of the stigmas that are put on these things get to us (and with things like counseling, spiritual counsel, or just doing things that people think are lazy but are what you need to relax, it's all really easy to buy into the human-created stigmas).
So though I'm not a therapist, or have done extensive research, and this is not a professional blog to help people, I wanted to get my thoughts down in social media land in the chance that it helps someone have a better day. And my encouragement in ending this blog post is that whoever reads this will do something today - and each day forward - that is self care to them. It doesn't have to be more than even a minute of peace to yourself - that works. But it is a minute to care for yourself in whatever way you need. (As an example: The Calm app makes it easy and gives you little 15 and 30 second times of asking you to not do anything for that length of time - and now they are broadcasting those as advertisements on TV! So cool).
Today, my self-care is writing this blog (mental health), I took a walk for an hour (physical health), I'm going to make something I've never made before - Orange cake - (spiritual health - yes, food can be spiritual), and I'll be doing some fun virtual dancing with my bosses and students later for a Hawaiian virtual party (overall mental, physical, spiritual, soul-FULL health!).
What are you going to do to self-care today???
Hang in there Tiffany . Sending love and prayer your way. Glad you are taking care of you,
ReplyDeleteSteven