Self Care - Quality vs Quantity

Self care and self nurturing, Buzz words we are hearing a lot of right now.

As a life coach, I've always encouraged my clients to engage in any practice that brings them healing and comfort both emotionally and physically.

Here's the thing.... What we do does not have to be elaborate or complicated. It just needs to suit our personality and bring us emotional and physical sustenance.

I know first hand that keeping up with a self care practice is not always easy. I always start with great intentions. Sometimes my goals have been too lofty; not sustainable and too ambitious.   Life gets in the way before whatever I've picked up becomes habit. And that can make me feel guilty, worse than when I started.  

I can tell you that when I do keep up with a practice, I feel great in the moment and for some time after. My mood is lifted. I feel lighter, a little more at ease with myself and the world.  

My reality is, I often don't have the time or the inclination to devote hours a day to self care and I've come to realize, I don't have to.

Quality not quantity. That simple phrase means so much in so many situations and scenarios including self care and self nurturing. I have found real value in taking as little as a moment to focus on my breath, to listen to a song that is sure to lift my mood, or to give thanks and be grateful for a blessing in my life.

Whatever activity you choose to engage in to take care of yourself emotionally and physically, make sure you enjoy it and that you can make it stick. No point in doing something you really don't want to do. That's added stress. Who needs that?

If you can and are inclined to take hours for yourself, that's great. Do it. If you find the idea of self nurturing daunting, then start slow, baby steps. You'll find just doing something small for yourself will make you feel better.

Hop over to the studio for some ideas on quick and easy activities to get you going. They may seem ridiculously simple and obvious. The key here is, they are doable. Enjoy!

Be well and take care of yourself.