This past weekend I had to honor to moderate a panel on self care. While the speakers were sharing I was reflecting on when asked what is your self care, I pause and not sure what that really is for me most times. Also while listening to the speakers I was comparing myself to the speakers and the audience. I was judging others about their self care practices. My thoughts in my head are as follows. I don't do that. Why would I do that. I don't have time. Ya, tried that, not for me.
When the three speakers were done talking on the self care topic, I opened the discussion up to the audience to ask questions. Few questions in, a newly sober young lady asked "How do I balance sobriety, family, work and have time for self care?"
Few quite moments went by, so I replied to her. I told her to keep it simple, like did you brush your teeth this morning? Did you brush your hair? How about the fact that you woke up sober this morning. I also said you are here, right now attending a event, sober. That's self care, case when we are out drinking, good chance I was not waking up sober in the morning.
In the beginning or even now years later I have to remember to keep it simple. Sometimes all I got for self care today is a shower, clean clothes, and brushing my teeth.
I have also learned that self care can be a lot of things. Some of my self cares today are naps, getting my nails done, going on vacation, watching my favorite TV show. Tanning, sitting at the beach, getting my hair done.
Comments