We’ve all made them… excuses.
We make excuses when we don’t want to make something a priority, especially with self-care.
Self-care so often gets pushed to the back burner in our go-go-go society.
In order to be our best, healthiest, happiest selves, we have to let go of these excuses.
- ”I don’t have time for self-care.”
Let’s just bust this one right off the bat.
Here’s a little tough love for you…
You DO have time for self-care. If you are not doing self-care you are not making it a PRIORITY.
We all have the same amount of time in a day. Every single person has 24 hours.
And you get to decide what you do with it.
Do you want to prioritize yourself?
Then do it!! Here are some things that might help:
1) Schedule it.
If you schedule it you are more likely to do it. Write it in your planner or in the calendar on your phone. Just like you schedule appointments or work obligations, you can schedule time for yourself!
If you need an easy way to schedule your self-care, check out my Self-Care Journal!
2) Commit to it.
Don’t say “I might do it then.” Say “I am going to do it then!” Tell yourself you are going to do it and stick to your word.
I know how easy it can be to talk yourself out of things and make excuses to not do them. Let’s commit together to not doing that!
3) Communicate it.
You may need to communicate with those around you (especially if you have kids) that you need some time for you.
Recruit help from a spouse or loved one. Ask them to watch the kids during a certain time so you can have a few minutes to focus on you.
Of course, self-care can be done with kids around. But if it’s easier for you to get it done alone then communicate that to those around you.
If you do not have help with kids, don’t use that as an excuse. Use it as a teaching moment. Kids need to learn self-care too!
By the way, there is no specific amount of time you have to spend doing self-care. You decide that. Just do what’s best for you!
Make time for yourself. You deserve it 💜
2) “I don’t know where to start.”
I remember not feeling comfortable in my body. I wasn’t unhappy in life, but I was definitely unhappy in my body.
So I made a decision to change how I felt. I made a decision to love my body and take care of my body.
And there began my self-care journey!
I was in college at the time and decided to start going to the gym a couple days a week. I started learning how good my body felt when I treated it well!
I added self-care activities from there and today I have a long list of activities that I love doing and that help me feel my best!
Notice I said I made the decision to START. I wasn’t perfect and I didn’t have it all figured out. If I’m being honest I had no idea what I was doing 😂
But I did start.
That’s how we learn and how we move forward.
The way we do this is to stop letting fear get in the way and take a step forward. Take a step toward change and a life you deserve and love.
And remember this: you deserve to take care of yourself.
Sometimes we are so busy taking care of others that we forget to take care of our own needs.
But you are worthy of giving your body and mind the care it needs.
Here are some ideas to get you started this week:
- 5 minutes of stretching
- 20 minute workout
- spend a day off social media
- journal
- drink half your body weight in water
Choose one activity and use it consistently throughout the week.
I can guarantee you will start to see changes right away!
3) “I don’t have money for self-care.”
When a lot of people think of self-care, they think of spending money. I’m here to tell you that you do not have to spend ANY money to take care of yourself!
Most people think of pedicures or massages, and it could be, but it doesn’t have to be.
Let’s simplify self-care!
When I started my self-care journey I had the mindset that I was only doing self-care if I spent money on it (i.e. pedicures and massages).
I’ve learned that the activities that make me feel my best don’t cost money at all!
Self-care can be anything your body or mind need; for example, washing your face, going on a walk, or eating your veggies.
So often we don’t even know we are taking care of ourselves.. just don’t overthink it!
All we have to do is increase our awareness of what we are doing for our body and mind to reap the benefits of it.
Here are some self-care activities that don’t cost any money:
- wash your face
- go on a walk
- eat veggies
- drink water
- read a book
- stretch
- call a friend
I could list so many more but my challenge to you is to find what works for you!! Think about what you do or could do on a daily basis to take care of your mind, body, and/or emotions.
Start by adding one simple activity that doesn’t cost money to your daily life.
4) “Taking care of myself means neglecting others.”
I felt this way when I started my self-care journey, too. Especially because I was going into (and have been been in for several years) the helping profession.
I spend my day in the office helping others take care of themselves, which I love by the way!
But something that I’ve learned along the way is that if I don’t take care of myself, I can’t take care of my clients the way they deserve.
Same goes for spouses, kids, or even the crazies you have to take care of (picture of mine below) ;).
YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF OTHERS.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
You can’t give your best to others if you haven’t given your best to yourself.
If you are burnt out, how are you going to take care of others?
You are NOT neglecting others when you take care of yourself…
You ARE taking care of others when you take care of yourself!
All it takes is flipping the script from “I’m neglecting others” to “I’m taking care of others by taking care of myself.” And then letting go of the guilt!
Easier said than done, I know. But in order to live our best lives, we have to be taking care of ourselves.
So be aware of your mindset.
Are you telling yourself you can’t engage in self-care because of others? Or are you telling yourself if you engage in self-care you are benefiting others?
5) “I don’t know what to do.”
Trust me, you do know what to do.
Answer these questions:
- What makes your body feel good?
- What makes your mind feel relaxed?
- How do you let out your emotions?
The answer to these questions is your self-care.
Whatever makes your body feel good is self-care.
Whatever makes your mind feel relaxed is self-care.
Whatever helps you let out your emotions is self-care.
Don’t overcomplicate it! Just listen to your body and you will know what you need.
Over the years I’ve really narrowed down what works for me and what doesn’t. Let me tell you, it was a process. But the trial and error was so worth it!
Do you feel stuck in your self-care? Do you feel like there is nothing that will make you feel good in your body?
If you are in this place, I want to help! I promise you that there is a way out. I have two tools to help you out:
- self-care journal
My self-care journal is created to simplify self-care so that you can complete your self-care activities every day AND hold you accountable to accomplishing the self-care.
The activities are ones that our body NEEDS EVERY DAY!
You can get the journal here.
- 1:1 coaching
If you need a deeper level of accountability, this option is for you. Sometimes it just takes someone supporting, encouraging, and pushing us to be our best self.
I know that I am my best when I have someone in my corner. I want to do that for you!
If you feel like this is the level for you, I have opened 2 coaching spots for the month of October. Because this is very limited, make sure you jump on this right away!!
Just fill out this form and I will get back to you!
Know that you are worthy, loved, and deserving of the woman you want to be. Self-care is the tool to being our best, happiest selves.
