Caring for oneself can be as extensive or as simple as it can get. At it’s core self-care has the imperative to slow down and move into a space of inward listening.
For the longest time that I can remember, it was far easier for me to say yes to other’s needs and not so easy to take a step back and care for myself. It didn’t seem wrong because I was surrounded by well-meaning adults who were modeling this behavior to me. Nevertheless, I saw them feeling drained being at the beck and call of their responsibilities and chores and not having room for anything at all, let alone for themselves.
I constantly struggled with having better boundaries when it came to other people and went on taking more than I had capacity for. But a lot changed during the pandemic, the emotions were overwhelming and I was forced to find a way to help myself navigate the barrage of feelings I was experiencing. It was as if I had to hear the call for a more expansive opening and move into a creative space. But I felt resistant because, I couldn’t step out of the narrative that was passed on that being creative or having an outlet of expression was something reserved for any little time that was left once all chores were completed. It was so further from truth, yet it took me a while to change the mindset around.
A few practices over the years have helped me take those baby steps toward living a more sustainable life for my energy and eventually myself.
Here are some of them that work for me to have a quick reset over the day or help me center myself and become more present. I try not to overthink and just choose one practice for the day that resonates with my time and energy availability.
- Morning meet-greet with my plants – This morning ritual has been a simple but deeply profound practice to connect with nature right in my patio. I normally take the time to be still, being present to their company or sometimes offer reiki healing to the space. Other times I could be asking any questions that have come up lately for me and its beautiful to witness them offering a dose of their rooted wisdom! whenever I need a moment to reset, I just turn around and find a plant to talk to or just breathe with it. This never fails to brighten my moment/day.
- Creative journaling – I have kept journals all my life and over the years it has evolved with my expression. The biggest expansion I experienced was during the pandemic, journaling became a tool for inspiration, dreaming and healing. I witnessed my expression change from just words to poems, short stories and art, which was pretty unusual to me till then. I do page-a-day, some days I just doddle, other days I can get a bit crafty! Simple and also transformative.
- Deep breaths – In through the nose, out through the mouth and a thymus thump offers an instant reset.
- Oracle decks – Picking a card in the morning and allowing the guidance to distill over the day. Can be used on their own or combined with a journaling practice.
- Intuitive Body movement – Opening to deep body aliveness is truly a gift. This can happen only when the thinking brain can turn off for a little bit. This visceral, instinctual practice helps the mind take a back seat and allow the body to move intuitively to its own rhythm. You can make it as immersive and deep as you like or engage in a simple un-self-conscious dance!
I believe self-care has to be fun and so I often end up mixing things and it evolves to something else. Take anything that resonates and make it your own. There is no need to perfect a process, it is there for your own joy!
This is an excerpt from my contribution to the Oxygen Mask Project, which was a collaborative space where various ways of self-care were explored along with 20 other changemakers.
You can read the entire book for free here – https://www.beingplace.ca/oxygenmask