In our busy world, giving yourself permission to stop and rest is essential. Resting not only recharges us, it helps us relax. A common objection to taking me-time is having “too much to do,” but not stopping when we need rest can result in cycles of nervous or exhausted activity which are not productive or restful. The world is really demanding and women today are asked to complete too many tasks. There are family, job, cooking, ironing, cooking, taking the kids to school, training, being always young-beautiful-smiling and happy. Well, it’s a crazy world, so the only thing you really have to do, is allow yourself to rest, an hour a day, 60 minutes just for you.
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
What you do and give to others is important and priceless. The more relationships and responsibilities that rely on you, the more important it is that you are well-maintained so that you can reliably be the person everyone’s counting on you to be. This can’t happen consistently if you aren’t consistently dedicating time to take care of you. You have so much to offer the world and probably, so many things you’d love to do and be and experience. Me-time is part of what we all need to show up as the best version of ourselves. You wouldn’t head off for a cross-country road trip without putting oil in your car, and you won’t travel very efficiently, reliably, or gracefully either if you are not giving yourself the routine maintenance that you need.
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Self-care is other care. In other words, practicing self-care helps us help others more effectively. Women, in particular, feel incredibly guilty for tending to their needs. And it’s not surprising. We are surrounded by overt and covert messages that encourage us to minimize our own needs and feel guilty when we engage in self-care. There’s also the belief that taking care of yourself leaves less time and energy for others. But this is not true. Self-care actually turns out to be a powerful way to care for others. One of the most loving things you can do for people in your life — your kids, partner, friends, colleagues — is not put them in a place of future resentment. This kind of care nurtures both you and your relationships.
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
It can easily happen that you feel guilty about taking time for yourself. You maybe think that being alone, away from the rest of the world, means being selfish. This can easily happen when you are involved in a toxic relationship that keeps dragging you down because you are afraid to make a change. As a peaceful, compassionate person, as a good listener and a giver, you can feel guilty just because you might need some space and me time. Stop feeling like that!
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Photo: Zen
Never feel guilty for doing what’s best for you or for prioritizing what you value in life. Never feel guilty for being honest about how you feel, and never apologize for being you.
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