In the corporate world, busyness seems to be a badge of honor. But in your own self-built business, that doesn’t have to be the case. We all have plenty to fill up our days, and you’ve probably noticed (as I have) that if you don’t fill your time, someone else will. Which is why I feel it’s so important to take the time that you need for yourself every day. Self-care isn’t just for the weekends—it’s part of life!
Here are some of my favorite ways to make sure I’m taking care of myself and making time for what I love.
Schedule Self-Care
If it’s not on the calendar it’s probably not going to happen. As someone who needs a lot of time to myself, I regularly schedule a day that’s mine-all-mine. I’m an introvert, so my scheduled self-care day is off-limits to everyone else. I turn down pretty much any invitation I get with a simple, “I have another commitment that day.” If you’re someone who recharges better when you have company, then maybe you could schedule a lunch date or get-together with a friend on a regular basis.
Include Self-Care in Your Routine
Besides putting it on the calendar, another easy way to take care of yourself is to build self-care into your normal routine. For me, this means reading time. When I take a break towards the middle of the day, this is my chance not just to grab a bite to eat, but also to settle in for a chapter or two of a good book. Because I know reading is something that nourishes my soul, I make sure it’s part of my everyday rhythm.
Look Forward to Treats
Routine self-care is great, but it’s also fun to have something a bit more exciting and unusual to look forward to every once in a while. This can be something big, like a weekend getaway, or just something fun and out of the ordinary. Watching TV is not part of my day-to-day, so sometimes I’ll schedule a movie night and make sure to include popcorn so it feels extra special.
Change Your Attitude Towards Self-Care
A relaxing cup of tea isn’t everyone’s…well, cup of tea! If you struggle to make time for yourself, it may be that you subconsciously think your self-care needs to fit the stereotypes or be something others would enjoy. But self-care is only self-care if it nurtures YOU. So think about the things you love, and incorporate those into your life. Also, remember that it doesn’t need to be something big or unusual to count as loving yourself. And despite my advice to schedule it, it can totally be spontaneous too! (I love rain, and it doesn’t happen much where I live, so whenever we get a cloudburst I drop what I’m doing, open the sliding door, and sit on the threshold just listening and breathing in that gorgeous petrichor. Small, spontaneous, and makes me SO happy.)
What about you? Do you have a little something you look forward at the end of every workday? What are your favorite ways (big and small) to show yourself some love?
