Let's face it, self-love is more than just treating ourselves to little luxuries. As an art therapist, I believe it means taking care of our basic needs - even the ones we tend to put off. In this post, I challenge you to shift your perspective on self-love and consider the not-so-glamorous tasks that are essential to our well-being. From setting a timer to fold laundry to requesting online support to make appointments, there are many ways to give ourselves the extra help we need. Let's move away from shame and "shoulda woulda coulda's" and instead embrace a shame-free approach to self-care. Are you ready to start taking care of yourself in a whole new way? Let's get started.
We often hear the phrase "self-love" thrown around, but what does it really mean? As an art therapist, I believe that self-love is more than just pampering yourself. In this post, we'll explore the radical truth about self-love and how it involves taking care of yourself in a deeper way.
When we think of self-love, we might picture ourselves indulging in our favorite activities, such as taking a bubble bath, ordering takeout, or buying new shoes. While these activities can certainly help us feel good at the moment, they don't necessarily contribute to our overall well-being.
On the other hand, taking care of those needs that we tend to put off can be a powerful act of self-love. For example, scheduling a necessary doctor's appointment, organizing our space, or filing our taxes might not be enjoyable tasks, but they are important for our health and peace of mind.
Think about it: if your loved one had anxiety about doing a necessary task, would you step up to support them? What would they need to get that task done? Sometimes, we need to give ourselves the same kind of support we would give to a friend or family member.
And that's where the concept of "extra support" comes in. Extra support can look like setting a timer to fold our laundry, having a friend or family member sit with us while we organize the pantry, or requesting online assistance to make appointments we've been avoiding.
It's important to remember that self-love isn't about shame or guilt. We want to avoid "should" statements like "I should clean out my fridge" or "I should eat leafy greens for lunch." Instead, we can focus on what we need to take care of ourselves without judgment.
So, let's start now. Take a moment to think about what you need to take care of for yourself. Maybe it's scheduling a doctor's appointment, setting aside time for a creative project, or reaching out to a friend for support. Whatever it is, remember that it's an act of radical self-love to prioritize your own well-being.
Comentarios