Our true nature is to love ourselves, yet we often forget. Like a muscle, it needs to be flexed and strengthened, and one of the most direct ways to do this is through acts of self-care. When we tune into our body, mind, and soul, we become fully present within ourselves — and to our needs.
But self-care can be hard to practice. It often seems much easier to think about other people’s needs before our own, to prioritize caring for our friends, family, spouse, children, pets — or even our possessions like a house or car — above our own care. Why is that? The joy of making someone else happy is immensely rewarding. Taking care of our belongings can give us satisfaction. What we might not always remember is that self-care is not an indulgence, but a necessity — how can we be there for those we love if we’re not taking care of ourselves?
If you’ve been feeling a little wobbly with self-care, try this simple practice. Take a moment to sit quietly and ask yourself: “What’s one easy thing I can do now that would feel good?” Maybe it’s enjoying a moment of silence. Maybe it’s sipping a comforting cup of tea. Whatever it is, do it with your full acceptance and presence. Think of self-care as an invitation to be kind to yourself and then take that positive, rejuvenating energy forward with you into your interactions and experiences. Start small and go from there, with little daily acts of self-love that will nourish your soul.
