By: Lyvia Hughes I would like to take a moment to talk about being Selfish, particularly during this holiday season.
Anyone who knows me, knows that the field of mental health and wellness is very near and dear to my heart, and one of things that I get quite passionate about. Given the culture of our society lately, I know that the holidays can be quite the stressful time for many. For a lot of us, we are juggling ways to honour Yule, but to also accept Christmas time with our families. We are prepping, cooking, decorating, shopping, cleaning, hosting, and if you’re anything like me everything MUST! BE! PERFECT!
All of this puts a level of added emotional stress on us, not to mention the financial stress that many will experience during this time as well. Which brings me to my next point. SELF CARE.
Self-care is something that is talked about everywhere. Conferences, seminars, staff meetings, friends with well –intentioned advice. But what IS self-care? Is it the bubble baths, and the glass of wine, and the chocolates? Is it curling up with a book in front of a fireplace (or heater, if you don’t have a fireplace)?
Or is it doing the hard things. Cleaning the kitchen when you do not have an ounce of energy left? Showering when you’ve hit a depression so deep that basic hygiene is hard. Being dedicated to your spiritual path, when you’d rather just hide in bed?
Depending on who you talk to, and their field, you may hear different things about self-care. I myself have often advocated for self-care in the sense that it is doing the hard things. The things that will improve your physical, emotional and spiritual health. But what that really is, is Self-Growth. Self-Growth is hard, and sometimes it hurts. More often it hurts, but those are things that you need to do to further your life, reach your goals, attain your aspirations.
But, during the holidays, is that what is needed? Do you really need to do the hard things, when sometimes just making it through the holiday season unscathed is hard enough? No, what we want is the self-care. We need the bubble baths, the soft music the glass of wine! We need a small escape from reality, a gentle reprieve from the hustle and bustle, a chance to turn off our minds!
So, I invite you, this week, to BE SELFISH. Do something that is JUST for yourself! And if you feel safe enough to, share it the rest of us!
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