My Self-Care Story

[myselfcarecircle]

For several years, I was working two jobs (one that was full time with travel and one that was part time, just for fun) with two very small children. I thought I was really going a great job at taking care of everything, especially myself. I was focusing on doing something for myself every day that would help me with my anxious tendencies.  In fact, Self-Care is was the first thing that I blocked off on my calendar. I practiced yoga, I meditated, I did Pilates, I took walks, I gardened, I meal planned, I volunteered and did so many things that I considered regular rituals of Self-Care.  As I blocked off my workout times, specific care related appointments, and any other time that I dedicated just for myself for to spend on my own personal well-being, it reminded me of something to important to me -If I do not take good care of myself, I won’t be able to take care of anyone else.

Probably because I had so much going on, I was completely out of tune with some areas of life. We all have blind spots in our lives.  We don’t notice them because they are just that- blind.  I had more blind spots than a Jeep Wrangler, which if you have ever driven, you know has quite a lot.

Then I got fired from that full time job that I had been doing for the last seven years. Well it turns out I had actually been doing for some time that is referred to as quiet quitting, but I had no idea what that even was.   It was one of the best things that ever could have happened to me.  Who would have ever thought that about being fired???

I then simply wondered- Why didn’t I do it sooner?

 I liked the work I did and how it made a difference. I loved the people - my teammates and my clients, but was not even remotely enjoying the leadership change that occurred at the beginning of my last year in the role. 

The truth is that I got sucked in by the money.  I also stayed anchored emotionally to how my role directly and indirectly helped people and made a difference.

I saw people left and right every single day that were not taking good care of themselves, and while I was determined not to become one of those people, I became that person.

Ironically enough, the day that I got fired, I was sick in bed with the flu. My kids passed it on with all of the lovey dovey germs that children share with their Moms and Dads when not feeling well. I looked so sick that I didn’t even get on camera for the virtual meeting, as no amount of hair and makeup styling was going to make me come across professionally on screen.

To further prove the point that I was not doing an adequate job of caring for myself, I spent the first five weeks of being unemployed, still being sick on and off.

Even though I was still able to do my part time fun job, I couldn’t do it with the same usual levels of energy and enthusiasm, because I just was not physically running at 100%.  Life was trying to tell me something and I being a horrible listener.  I feel like I shouldn’t have known better than to get myself into a situation like that, but it was my reality and my own doing.  

I took a journey to get back to the basic habits of self care that regularly help to keep me restored, recharged, and replenished. I hope that my journey can resonate with you and help for your Self-Care journey to evolve and grow.  Ironically, we seem to learn so much more from doing something the more difficult way or the wrong way altogether.  We all can learn from the experiences of others.  Please learn from mine.

I feel so much better now, both mentally and physically.  I also enjoy my days more and am more enjoyable to be around.  Most of us live with someone else.  It can be really hard to live with someone that is not taking care of themselves especially because they have a front row seat to view what that person is going thru.

I want to hear about your experiences and your struggles with self-care. Share it all – the good, the bad, the ugly. We all  have a chance to be able to learn from one another. What have you done this week to take care of yourself?  How was it helped you manage your anxiety and depression?

[Roukaya]

An interesting topic self care I realise that self care and self respect go hand in hand and my journey has been of neglect and lack of self belief.

I had great aspirations to be a Lawyer and my mental health is knocked because I struggle to find a legal practice to consider me.

I only have my Mother who lives overseas and after caring for my Father, I will listen and support my Mother but trying not be overcome by her worries which are a few .

I retreat to prayer and as you it is important to have a job compatible with our norms and values and I expect I am going away for a few weeks to observe Ramadan and learning to accept the situation we find ourselves in.

Learning not to let the worries of my Mother trigger my anxiety and try to form a balance and once I return to restart to apply not let the rejections diminish who I am

We all like money and money can attract us like slaves.

I have not worked for years and I should stop comparing myself to others. I yearn to find a path for myself be it in law or else where .