This is an archived blog from when I ran Conscious Public Relations Inc. from 2008-2018. Excuse the potential outdated-ness!
SELF-CARE. I didn’t want to go this route this week, but I guess the universe brought me into the conversation. I read a Facebook status update from Heather White asking if self-care is confused with narcissism. And I answered a definite HELL NO! It is not selfish to take care of yourself. It is an absolute must.
As timing would have it, Kate Carraway wrote an article in the May issue of FLARE Magazine on the topic. An author she admired, Anne Lamott, tweeted something about “self-care” and she got “into it.” She writes:
“…self-care doesn’t have a singular definition or doctrine, or good branding or a celebrity spokesperson…What it generally means, though, is putting yourself first, in various ways, to oppose the constant busy-ness, inherent stress and unhealthy habits that often (always?) come with a full, complicated life.” She goes on to cite Cheryl Richardson and Gabrielle Bernstein, both female authors with recent books on the topic.
I highly recommend the article to see what it uncovers for you. For me, it is a concept that has only really rooted itself in my life in the past few years. The first book I read that really struck a chord was Kathy Freston’s Quantum Wellness. Actually, this was my break-in book to self-help. For nearly my entire life I have been trying to please myself and others by following a certain path. And the self-help route actually helped me to discover the path that I want, rocky as it may be. After evaluating all of the activities I am involved in earlier this year, I’ve realized how much of my time and energy I give to others. Of course, I love to help people. But I am realizing that if I want to make my own path the best it can be, I do have to focus on myself and let a few things go. Because if I can be my best self, I can be my best self for others.
Isn’t it interesting how many can benefit when one invests in self-care?
What does self-care mean to you?
