Self-care (a.k.a. soul-care or self-love) isn’t always about carving out time to DO something (spa visit, lengthy meditation, quiet bubble bath, visit to your yoga studio, etc). These are all lovey examples of action-oriented ways we can care for ourselves. Notice that each of these examples require extra time, planning and coordinating. The very three reasons many of us neglect to make self-care a regular practice in our lives.
Self-care is much more than an action we DO.
Self-care is also about BEING. Being is often overlooked or discounted as insufficient because it is judged as a form of non-action. This is completely false.
Being in the moment is presence.
Presence invites connection.
Connection welcomes fulfillment and generates the feeling sense of being cared for.
Have you ever sat with an elder, maybe a grandparent?
I’ve spent a lot of time sitting with my elders. Sometimes I would hold my Gram’s hand or rub her back. Sometimes we would laugh about stories of our past or I would catch her up on my life. But what struck me the deepest was how nourishing it felt just to sit with her in complete silence. To BE present in the moment; with my Gram..and with myself.
Being present to the moment or to yourself doesn’t take extra time, it’s not an additional item on your never ending to-do list. Presence can be captured in the N.E.T. - No Extra Time.
I’ve been scoring highly on *Uses Time Wisely* since I was in grade school so I’m your gal on this one. 🤓
Here’s a few more ways I apply N.E.T. to self-care, making it a life practice:
Create an Inviting Atmosphere and Environment
I light candles, incense, or my diffuser. During the day I open the blinds to let in as much natural light as possible.
I keep my spaces tidy so I can feel peaceful and settled into whatever project I am currently working on without distractions and guilt getting the best of me.
Whistle While You Work (head nod to the Seven Dwarfs)
I play music while I do my chores, sometimes I play it extra loud in honor of my inner rebellious teenager. Fun isn’t an event. Fun is an attitude you bring to what you do.
“Fun isn’t an event. Fun is an attitude you bring to what you do.”
Infuse Your Food with Love
I enjoy good, healthy homemade food. It is very important to me that I infuse all my dishes with love, my not-so-secret primary ingredient.
I often watch a light-hearted funny program while I do food prep or cleanup.
Learn On-the-Go
I am a HUGE audiobook fan. I take advantage of my time commuting by listening to a good audiobook. If the book is really good I will find myself listening to it while I get ready for my day or for bed. I love to listen to my books when I am out on a long walk.
Entertained While Trained
I like to put on a good movie and get on the floor to do my mobility exercises and fascia care. I will roll my feet with YogaTuneup therapy balls, roll on a foam roll and stretch. I keep a therapy ball under my desk so I can roll my feet while attending Zoom call meetings.
There are endless ways to to maximize your self-care inside the time you have while accomplishing the tasks you have before you.
One more critical component..
It’s also about the energy and attitude you bring to whatever it is you are doing.
There is a difference between completing a task on your to-do list from the energy of DOING simply to complete it versus approaching a task from the energy of BEING as an act of self-love/self-care. DOING feels productive, but that prideful feeling scatters when the job is done. BEING nourishes your soul..and the box gets ticked.
Next time you find yourself overloaded by your to-do list. Pause. Breathe. Ah! Yeah. Take a few more deep, slow centering breaths.
Deep breathing is a powerful N.E.T. practice.
Once you are centered, take another look at your list.
How can you infuse your life with more joy?
Where could you invite in some fun and laughter?
How can you make the environment more welcoming and restorative?
Shift from DOING self-care to BEING someone who cares for yourself in the smallest, simplest ways to the most lavish manner.
Here’s what I know for certain from my own journey (personally and as a wellness expert):
Someone who cares for themselves as a regular practice of self-love welcomes the opportunity to go for the spa date with their bestie or receive that foot rub from their mate.
Why?
Because they have the capacity and presence to soak in all that goodness.