4 Self-Care Myths the Busy, Overworked Person Believes
/“Self care” is one of the trending phases these days that people are quick to pay lip service to, and very easily make assumptions about.
What is “Self Care”?
As the term “self care” might indicate - it’s any activity you do to take care of yourself.
This week (November 18 - 24, 2019), is officially “self-care week”. In creating awareness around self-care and why it’s important to take the time for it, it’s also important to look at what some of the self-care myths are, and to bust them!
Myth 1: I Don’t Have Money for Self-Care
Self-care doesn’t need to mean an expensive holiday or a full day’s worth of activities at a luxury spa. Although of course those things could fall under the self-care umbrella, self-care doesn’t need to take a lot of time nor cost a lot of money.
Ultimately - it’s a personal choice what “self care” means to you. If it means pampering yourself, there are also inexpensive ways to do this, like:
Face mask or hair mask at home.
15 minutes in the bath with epsom salts.
Getting a manicure/ pedicure or DIY at home.
For others, it may mean spending time on an activity you enjoy, like:
Spending a half-hour reading your favourite book or magazine.
Spending an hour gardening/ re-potting plants.
Finally catching up with a friend and re-connecting.
For someone who doesn’t have a lot of time, the simple act of just sitting with yourself for 5 or 10 minutes, re-connecting with what your intention for the day is, perhaps finding that heartfelt desire for that day/ week/ month is all you need. You could call it a meditation, or you could simply frame it as “me time”.
Here is one yoga pose you could try in that “me time” moment.
Here is one breathing technique you could try in that “me time” moment.
What is ONE easy thing you could do in whatever time limit you’ve got where you put yourself first, and engage in any activity you enjoy? (Watching TV or Netflix don’t count, see myth 4 below).
Myth 2: I Don’t Have Time for Self-Care
Because some people think “self-care is time-intensive”, they believe they don’t have time for it. Unfortunately - if you never put self-care as a priority, you will never find the time to do it. Plain and simple.
As explained in myth 1, self-care doesn’t need to take a lot of time. You just need to make it a priority, then schedule it in your diary so it stays top of mind, and then make that your date with yourself!
Myth 3: Self-Care is Only Needed When I’m Busy
For some people who recognise the importance of self-care, they believe they only need to make time for it when things are mega busy.
Wellllll… that’s only partially true. Unfortunately if you never get into the habit of prioritising self-care even when things are going well and relaxed in your life, then what makes you think you’d miraculously find time during your busy period to schedule in some “me time”.
Think about it. How often has this actually happened? Do you only think it, or do you actually DO IT.
Schedule in a weekly or daily self-care activity so it becomes a habit, so when things start to get busy, it’s even more likely you’ll keep up with your self-care rituals.
Myth 4: Self-Care is Anything That Makes Me Feel Better In the Moment
While self-care is definitely about valuing yourself and engaging in activities where you put yourself first, hence making you feel better in the moment - not every activity counts. Ultimately, the whole point of “self-care” is to move you into a higher vibe/ more positive lifestyle. So consider why these activities aren’t so great as “self-care”:
Binge-watching TV/ Netflix series.
Binge-drinking a glass of red wine while sitting in the bath.
Mindless scrolling through your social media feeds.
Skipping the gym (again!) because ‘sleep is more important’, right?
Look, I get that we’re only human and every once in a while, some level of the above happens. The more important factor to consider is “how do I feel after doing this?”
If there’s a degree of associated guilt, feeling bad about yourself, beating yourself up about “ugh, how did I just waste another night”... then perhaps you might want to consider activities that leave you with a more positive feeling about yourself after.
Any activities where you’re feeling more relaxed, positive and feeling good with yourself after are really the whole point of taking that “me time” timeout in the first place.
READ: 5 Different Self-Care Ideas (aka “how to have a better Valentine’s Day". With ME.”)
What Does Self-Care Mean to YOU?
As these 4 myths show, self-care doesn’t have to be difficult, expensive, nor time-intensive, because self-care should be easy and enjoyable!
Ultimately, self-care means different things to different people. What works for me may not work for you… So take some time this weekend to consider what activities you enjoy doing, that you feel good about yourself after; that leaves you feeling relaxed and positive about the world around you.
Then think about how often you’d like to incorporate this into your daily, weekly or monthly routines, and make this your own personal self-care ritual.
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