Don’t you think that self-care is a buzzword? It’s mentioned everywhere! And every time I hear it or see it, I have the same reaction: I feel it’s self-indulgent, self-centered, superficial, and I don’t like it! What about the selfie? Is it part of the self-care story too?

 I am sure there must be more to this, right? This curiosity led me to investigate, and this is what I discovered.

Self-care is not about indulgence, luxury, or even mani-pedis, massages, and fillers. Instead, it is an essential practice for maintaining a sense of physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s such a relief to find this out! I want to choose to agree that it can be considered as an act of self-protection from the demands of modern life, where, as we all know, productivity and busyness are constantly being glorified.

I am starting to understand that self-care has to do with acquiring healthy habits, behaviors, and practices that nourish the body, mind, and spirit, which in turn help us live fuller, more balanced lives. It is actually a reminder that our lives matter, and that if we want to be the best for others, we need to start thinking of our well-being first and foremost. It’s similar to what we’re told when boarding an airplane: in case of emergency, the oxygen mask goes on the mother first. This concept of putting yourself first has always been very challenging for me. Being a French woman raised Catholic, the man, the friend, the neighbor, the other—always came first and needed to be my focus. Expressing my needs and feelings was labeled as selfish and unacceptable. So, I grew up believing that being self-centered was a recipe for total disaster. Thank God for living in America, which showed me otherwise. Today, I believe that balance is the answer.

With self-care, you begin to understand that it’s indispensable to have a good night’s sleep, eat healthy, and exercise, because, after all, they are the cornerstones of physical health. We are all aware that when these simple aspects are neglected, we become susceptible to burnout, illness, or complete emotional exhaustion. On the other hand, once we develop these basic habits, we effortlessly become healthy individuals, capable of dealing with life’s challenges more successfully. We finally come to accept that we matter, and that we need to be more mindful of creating healthy boundaries and honoring our feelings. The bottom line is that with attention to self-care, we acquire self-respect, which leads to self-love, and helps us feel good about ourselves. This, in turn, builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Who after all this can dislike self care.

However, we also need to realize that the art of self-care demands flexibility and attention to the ongoing changes in our lives. It’s not a one-time event! What works for us at one stage of life may not be effective at another, and we must be willing to adjust our self-care practices accordingly.

Last but not least, we need to believe that self-care is not a selfish act. By taking care of ourselves first, we become better equipped to care for others. It shows us how to be more compassionate towards ourselves and, in turn, towards others. As humans on this earth, we are all entitled to live with greater joy, resilience, and purpose. Victory to us!

« Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.»

- Katie Reed

Stay tuned for my next newsletter “ The art of sophistication and elegance.”

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