Ever met someone who gives of themselves yet they are exhausted and frazzled. As a mom, I love to care for my kids but I’m often the one who needs some TLC.
This year I have chosen focus areas of my life that I feel needs improvement. One of my focus areas is self-care. I’m not trying to be selfish but I want to care for my body so I can care for others better. I want to take care of the gifts that God has given me; my family and my body.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Pushing myself to a bad limit doesn’t help anyone. In fact, it hurts myself and my relationships. I get cranky, tired, and a little selfish when I haven’t taken care of myself. But when I give myself some love I’m ready to connect with others. Interesting huh?
We have a basic instinct to care for ourself. When we ignore this instinct, our ability to connect deeply is diminished. Deep connection requires us to be present and to focus on the other person which requires mental clarity. I never have enough mental clarity if I haven’t eaten or slept well. The same is true if we haven’t fed our souls in a while, we simply can’t focus on others. God’s word challenges me to not be selfish but to love one another. Without some time with Him, I start looking inward which is not good for anyone. To me, caring for myself is not selfish but is essential for connection with others.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4
Warning, it never fails that when I sit down for these activities, interruptions will happen. You feel me, I know. So to accomplish self-care, I follow the guidelines in my Re-Learning to Focus post. I also find a time that works best for these activities, write it in my calendar, and I stick to it.
As I think about taking care of me, I remember that most of my time is focused on others. Therefore, I find joy in my care so I can be there for others.
When I sat down to determine my yearly focus areas, I wanted my self-care regimen to be simple yet complete. I also wanted it to be easy otherwise I wouldn’t get it in my schedule and wouldn’t be completed. My self-care regimen that I developed is 1) consistent Bible study, 2) quiet time, 3) bathing, and 4) healing care.
Here’s my basic plan.
- Consistent Bible Study – I love my Bible and I love to study. But this year I want to take it to the next level. I want to audaciously love God’s word this year. Which means I need to establish a consistent study time and plan. Specifically, I need daily reading, a challenging study plan, and supplemental reading.
- Quiet Time – As an introvert, I need some time by myself. My goal for QT is 15 minutes per day. This is more than just having alone time to potty. Ha. It’s 15 minutes for me to do nothing but breathe maybe even stretch. I don’t want to accomplish anything in this time, I just want to be alone. I know myself well enough to know that I need a few minutes alone to center my mind and bring peace back. Any fellow introverts out there? You feel me?
- Bathing – This is more than taking a shower, which is pretty important too. Bathing is sitting in a healing bath made with Epsom salt, herbs, and essential oils. I plan to have at least one healing bath per week. Bonus, I feel amazing afterwards.
- Healing Care – My body is currently dealing with a lot. I’m also very depleted from having babies and nursing them. This process has been so rewarding but now I need to rebuild my health before serious things start happening. This year I will be spending time and energy to help my body heal. I’m also learning as much as I can so I’m well equipped to deal with the issues at hand. Healing care means focusing on the best foods, getting plenty of rest, taking necessary supplements and seeing a doctor that can help.
This year will be a time of rebuilding and focus. I’m sure you are seeing a pattern.
What do you do to take care of yourself? Leave a comment and let me know.
Life is a grand total of our choices. What do you choose today?
Progress through purpose, change through choice!!
Yes, Yes, and Yes. My focus this year is also health.
1) overcoming food addiction
2) learning self control over my emotions
3) learning to use my cravings as a prayer tool
4) relearning healthy foods and what my body needs and doesn’t
5) exercise
6) and staying commuted to it all.
God wants me to be free of this enslavement so I am claiming His absolute freedom in Him for my life.
* note* I get up 1 hour before everyone else for my Bible study and alone time. This may or may not be suitable for you yet, but eventually ,when the littles are older, it may be something to try.
Thanks for your input. When we determine what we want, it’s easier to accomplish. You have some big goals. Take one at a time and achieve greatness!!
Blessings!!