Tag: self care
A Look at Self Care
As the days grow colder (at least we are where I am, here in the United States) and we’re now smack in the middle of the end-of-year holiday season, it is important to take a step back from the hustle and bustle and make time to take care of yourself. I know, I know, you have shopping to do, presents to wrap, and holiday parties to attend. And do I think that tree is going to decorate itself? How in the world, when you already feel as though you’re running behind, and like everything could fall apart if you don’t go even faster, are you going to stop and carve out some “me time”? I understand, believe me, I do. And that is precisely why you need to do it.
I think the problem comes in our perception of self care. Typical images conjure up bubble baths, or reading a book while wrapped up in a cozy blanket by the fire. Don’t get me wrong; these are great ways to exercise self care and are very relaxing too. However, self care doesn’t need to be the stereotypical perception of relaxing or pampering to count as self care. I’d encourage you to look deeper and discover what makes you smile, warms your heart, and feeds your soul.
The things you choose for your own self care can be as small as making yourself a cup of tea that you enjoy. Or it can be something that you expect others would not think of as self care – like finally cleaning out and organizing the junk drawer – but that gives you such a sense of well-being and accomplishment that it makes you do a happy dance inside. I won’t judge you for it! In fact, I would be happy that you added to your joy and sense of self. For that is what self care is really all about: nourishing yourself in all ways, big and small.
In a season that is all about taking care of and doing things for others, it might be difficult to get in touch with what would nurture your own soul. To help get you started, I’ve listed some suggestions below. I suspect that once you start thinking about it, you will come up with many more ways to nourish yourself that feel right to you. Go for it! You are worth it!
Self Care Suggestions
- Drink a cup of tea, or other warm beverage you enjoy
- Read a book
- Walk through nature
- Feed the birds
- Do a task you’ve been putting off
- Try a new lotion or perfume
- Eat a crisp apple
- Relax by the fireplace
- Get a pedicure or massage
- Arrange flowers for your home
- Create! Paint, sew, sculpt, knit, solder metal, papier-mâché, string beads, etc.
- Draw in a coloring book
- Bake cookies
- Take a class on something you’ve wanted to learn
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
- Listen to yourself and give yourself permission to explore what makes you happy and contented
Colby Hall
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner
New Year’s Inspiration
I’ve written before about selecting a word that will represent your upcoming year. However, with it being the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, it felt like the right time to mention it again. I hope you take the time to select a word for yourself, and to reflect upon it often. I tend to find that the actual selection process takes no time at all. I simply ask what my word should be and almost before I’ve finished asking the question the chosen word appears in my mind. My word for 2019? Inspiration.
Inspiration 2019!
I was somewhat surprised because this isn’t a word I use often. Sure, I might say I was inspired by something or even that someone was inspiring, but the word inspiration? No. I rarely use it. Inspiration though perfectly captures that feeling that I’ve felt when thinking about all that will happen in 2019. My 2019 calendar is relatively empty thus far, but 2019 feels like it is going to be a big year. You know what I mean?
I can already feel the changes beginning to take place and I’m excited, exhilarated, and truthfully a little scared too. Inspiration thus reminds me to both seek inspiration in all things big and small from the world around me, and also to be an inspiration to others. It challenges me to be the best version of me yet and I’m excited to get started.
I realize that with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can be difficult to find time to be alone, much less to think about anything other than all the things you still need to get done, but I think if you take the time to try this exercise you’ll find it richly rewarding. Need some added incentive? This year we are experiencing a new moon on January 5, 2019.
New moons are a perfect time to manifest any changes you want to see – even if your life is so wonderful and full that you only want more of what you already have! What a great time to embody all of what your word for 2019 has to represent. So my wish for you is that you create a space for yourself to discover your own personal word for 2019, and that it helps you immensely in your journey. Bon voyage!
Colby Hall
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner
Holiday Self-Care
As the Holidays race towards me, I am finding it harder to do my self-care. Which makes it harder to create the Holiday I want for me and my family. I have decided to focus my energy on the ideas and things that bring me joy and warm memories. That goes for traditions as well as decorations. In fact, I am broadly applying that to every object in my house!! I am also reminding myself, as often as necessary, that anyone’s dissatisfaction comes from their expectations or believed needs and have nothing to do with me!
© Marian Vejcik | Dreamstime.com
I am protecting my space as well, by continuing with my self care routines, even if they get shortened. I need to remind myself that simple things like brushing my teeth, washing my face and showering ARE self care! Another version of self care is watching what I say to myself. I have replaced “Man, I have way too much to do!” With “I have more than enough time to accomplish everything I desire.” It really shifts how my day plays out. I also find that if I think of the things I do for myself, like meals, relaxation time, and sleeping, with the same intent I would have if I were caring for a child or friend, it comes from a much more meaningful place and the results are much more powerful. A very simple self-care example is muting commercials while you watch TV. What a difference this makes! I also make sure I surround myself with things that bring me joy in my sleeping space. For me it is oils in my diffuser that relax me, my favorite Lemurian crystal on my nightstand and that I have an extra blanket handy if I need it during the night. My meal preparation and planning has also been revamped to reflect the notion of joy and warm memories. I don’t make things just because my family always has. I realize that is craziness. I also ask for help when things get busy. I realize that is a way to make more joy and warm memories and that it isn’t a sign of weakness!
All and all I have a much better outlook going in to these Holiday than ever before. I am creating them differently and completely based in joy and love for everyone including myself!!
Sarah Avignone
Trinity Energy Progression Instructor/Practitioner
Putting the Pieces Together – I’m Worth It!
- A funny, funny reminder that I’ve been getting almost daily since September on my mobile devices… this ONE particular video’s title is “Are you WORTH It?” LOL!
Riddle – A veiled meaning, put forth as a puzzle to be solved requiring ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning, typically presented as a game.
The universe speaks to me in riddles…because usually it’s only then that I finally choose to listen.
I ask for clarification instead of creating chaos in my life. It’s fun, easy and helps me on my path…..keeping me moving forward, albeit stumbling at times. My mantra has come to be,”Please show me the things that I don’t want to see in myself.”
There have been several things recently, that I have been stubbornly ignoring ….so it seems.
Here’s what I was manifesting to clue me into looking closer:
- Phone / Computer glitches.
- A particular word or phrase appearing over and over to me.
- A particular incident crossing my mind several times.
- An out-of-the-ordinary physical symptom.
- All of the above!
- One of my paintings…
Right now, I am currently remembering (after reminders from the Higher Self) to::
- Make painting a priority…it’s what brings me the most joy! Stop being stingy with myself! I am worth it!
- Take care of my physical body! (I am a complete work in progress here, kids!) This is the one body that I have here on Earth right now…value it and it will value me. I just recently figured out that I have been getting “nudged” to take yoga for the past 5 YEARS apparently! Which brings me to….
- Be patient with myself! Relax…laugh at myself. Life is not so serious. I laughed when I saw all the ways Spirit had attempted to show me the things I wasn’t ready to see at the time.
So yayyyyy for seeing the bigger picture no matter how long it takes. We are all a work in progress. There is no competition in spirituality….. especially when it comes to myself.
By the way….my to-do list is getting smaller than my to-be list. I just made blooming baked apples and the house smells super-delicious. I am drinking a big glass of lemon water and am now off for a walk in the sunshine on this crisp fall day with my sweetheart. Do you know why? Because I am worth it!!!
Debi Weinstein
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner
D5 Creation