Is it selfish to indulge in self-care at this time? It’s easy to think that it is, but it is actually essential. It is not selfish because it is a necessity and a nourishing one at that. Self-care helps us cope, recover, and flourish as persons. It also has a protective function for when all else fails, we can rest easy knowing that our sanity is intact.
As adults, it is normal for our minds to function non-stop. We are prone to overthinking. When you overthink, do you ever pause to say, “Is this serving me well?” “Do my thoughts ever run out or is it my thoughts that are running me out?”
Another problematic reality is our tendency to over-subscribe. Are we tuned in to all existing news networks, in all of its social media channels? Are you also overly-subscribed to your to-do lists? Perhaps self-care remains at the backseat due to the many expectations that our workplaces put on us, prohibiting us from adding self-care to our to-do list.
But please, keep in mind that it is essential to put some deposits in yourself. Invest in you because the work will never run out but our selves, our sanity, and our well-being can run dry and be depleted.
Do not over-function! There is no need to force yourself to keep on taking on everything upon your shoulders. Delegate your tasks and have faith in the people around you to accomplish these. When they aren’t able to, please do not overreact! Know that they have their limitations or are probably still learning the ropes of the things you’ve done routinely.
This emphasizes the importance of self-care as it enables the refueling of our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy bank. It is crucial because it allows us to care for our needs. It fosters a healthier mindset for it reminds us that we are also valued and important. If we have more of us to love and care for, then we will also have more to give to our loved ones.
Remember, self-care is not selfish, it is a need.