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We all know self-care is good for us. A necessity, not a luxury. Especially these days.
But why is practicing self-care so hard?
Audre Lorde wrote in A Burst of Light: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
ASKING FOR HELP is the best self-care skill I learned.
It’s not a skill that comes naturally - thanks to these Support Saboteurs:
- The need to present, to keep up the I-am-fine, I-have-my-act-together image.
- The belief that asking for help and support is a burden for others.
- The fear to appear weak, incompetent or unattractive and to be rejected.
- The desire to be fixed, healed instantly, not admitting that this is a process and takes time.
- The belief that just to vent is enough and doesn’t require any other action.
When Reiki came into my life in 2015, I learned to be kinder to myself. I kicked the perfectionist drill sergeant who’d been shouting in my head for over 30 years to the curb. Slowly, I learned to listen to MYSELF.
- We practice self-care when we are appreciating our strengths and our weaknesses.
- When we identify our fears and have the courage to look them in the eye.
- When we let go of the stumbles, forgive our mistakes, and celebrate our achievements.
When I was smiling from the NASDAQ building on September 1, 2009, and worked 15-hour-days, I was "too busy" for self-care. I was in my early 30s. My body forgave me. Until anxiety took over. I developed a chronically inflamed esophagus, grinded my teeth to the point of breaking, made cups of coffee at 4:00 a.m. Now I only see my doctors for annual check-ups.
Don’t be at war with yourself. Don’t stay in the battle zone alone.
Remember: PEACE IS AN ACHIEVEMENT.
Remember: PEACE IS AN ACHIEVEMENT.
Message me here to see how I can help you in the next weeks, months, or even years. (Yes, some of my clients and I have been traveling on this journey called LIFE together for years).