There are two inescapable facts when it comes to the touchy issue of self care. The first is that it’s essential for mental and physical wellbeing. The clue to the second is in the title. It’s all about self…doing for yourself those things that no-one else can do.
Why call it a “touchy issue”?…because too many of us see self care as self indulgent. We are dealing with so many issues outside of ourselves that we rob ourselves of the energy or concern to deal with those issues that are contained within. We know what needs to be done but still we do nothing.
Ignoring a problem or a worry is not the road to resolution or recovery.
Too often self care is activated after we hit the wall. It’s when our emotions or our health reaches a crisis point that we are motivated to take action. Only when the damage is done and the toll is great enough do we decide to do something to ease the pain or the confusion.
The tragedy is that, by then, efforts to make a full recovery may be too late.
There is no time like the present. There will be no better day than today to start practicing self care.
We have to make time for ourselves…to repair and heal.
The very best efforts and intentions of those around us will be to no avail if we choose to do nothing to help ourselves.
We can continue to add to the grief case that we carry on our life’s journey or we can decide to do something about it for ourselves.
Considering self is not selfish. It’s all about self preservation and the enjoyment of life.
It’s what I can do for me that makes the difference.
Gary Bentley Counselling 