“Self-care is so important. When you take the time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
– Eleanor Brown
If you’re like most people, you’re busy. Work and work functions, kids, pets, aging parents, spouses, siblings, neighbours, friends, social events, school, and many more things are clamouring for your time and energy.
There’s nothing wrong with serving others. It adds tremendous meaning to your life and value to those you serve. But like the airline staff say, in case of an emergency, put on your oxygen mask first.
Don’t wait for an emergency. Take care of yourself, your soul, your spirit, your dreams, your health, and your passions. And do it on a regular basis.
Why?
You can love every activity on your schedule. The work you do might make you roll out of bed each morning feeling excited about your day and what you get to do. The people in your life might frequently bring joy, happiness, and love to you. It might thrill you to be able to bring those things to them, too.
However, loving your life and the people in it doesn’t exclude you from needing rest, recovery, support, and nourishment. If all you ever do is give, give, give, eventually your tank will be empty.
And once your tank is empty, it doesn’t matter if it got that way out of love or drudgery. You’ll have to refill (and maybe repair) or you’ll be too sick and tired to do any of the things you love with and for the people you love.
Make it practical
While the occasional week on a beach, mountain, or cruise ship can be part of your self-care plan, build in smaller things on a daily or near-daily basis.
- Get a massage
- Take a ten-minute walk
- Listen to your favorite song
- Exercise your body and mind
- Put aside your to-do list and just be
- Watch a cute animal video
- Snuggle with someone you love
- Drink your favorite drink
- Sit in the sunshine
- Share your challenges with a friend, even if they can’t do anything but listen
Make it a priority to take care of yourself so that you can live and love as much as you want.