Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
– Lucille Ball
Several years ago Self Care became a way of life for me. My entire world had been turned upside down and I stepped into a time of great loss. I had been a stay at home mom of four children for over 20 years so actually spending time on my self felt quite foreign.
Overtime I learned to set aside time for myself. It started with going to a movie by myself occasionally and then increased to manicures, pedicures, regular exercise, baths, reading regularly, spending time with friends, spending time alone, meditation, conscious spiritual awakening, and lots of other Self Care activities. I became comfortable with the idea that I had value outside of being mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend. I reveled in taking care of myself and Self Care became a way of life.
A few weeks ago I confronted a true problem and realized that Self Care only begins in caring for the physical and spiritual. I have learned how to take care of my body, tap into my spiritual side, express my emotions and yet the puzzle was not complete. I had not learned to keep my boundaries.
I was in a very difficult personal relationship situation and stayed long past the time I should have. I allowed the other person to seriously impact my heart and soul. If I had practiced Authentic Self Care, I would have left the situation to allow my heart and soul time to heal. Instead I stayed and created more pain for both of us.
My wake-up moment came when I realized that the Self Care that will take me on the next step of my journey is taking care of myself, establishing boundaries for myself and then keeping them. Every single other Self Care practice I maintain, will not be effective if I do not.
Self Care has allowed me to grow and heal. Boundary keeping is the bow I will put on the package of Complete Self Care as I create my beautiful life.
