In life we become accustomed to developing routines of various degrees. Routines that make up the foundation of who we are. For most there’s a work or career related routine. For some there’s a devotional and worship centered routine. But more often than not there’s no routine centered around self-care. 

We are all integral parts in this chaos engine we call life. Your position and presence are far more valuable and important than you may think. But the harsh reality is that we are only human. Be that as it may we need to pull back sometimes to recover and restore ourselves. Even God took time to rest as he was sculpting reality as we know it. 

Taking time for self-care is not selfish it is however self-serving and self-sustaining. Self-care is like water, where in it has no definite form. Instead, it contours and conforms to the shape of the space it’s in. For self-care to be effective you have to identify what brings you peace, what is the purpose of your routine, and finally how consistent you are in your execution of your self-care. 

What brings you Peace?

Sometimes when you are doing a thing, what you do matters more than why you do. The beautiful thing about this is that we are all different therefore it is rare to find an identical assortment of things that bring us peace. The more personal the thing is the better. What’s most important is that whatever the thing is it brings you to a place of stillness in a way that brings you comfort and clarity. 

Maybe you like to flex your muscles and get after it at the gym. Maybe you like to catch up on some cosmetic customization and get your hair and nails done. Maybe you like to express yourself artistically. Or maybe you’re in the mood for a new adventure and want to take a little trip. 

Whatever the thing is remember it needs to bring you to a place of stillness even if for a little bit. Once you identify ‘what’ know that for self-care to be truly effective you need be methodical with the next step. 

Purpose?

Self-care for the sake of recreation has a slightly different impact then self-care for restoration. Both are good, I would say great even. However, it helps to be clear as to why you are engaging in this thing. Is it passion that moves you or is it necessity that sustains you. 

When life decides to throw you into the deep end it pays no regard to your status at the moment. Sometimes we need to be built up from a place where we were torn down. Sometimes we need to remember it’s ok to smile instead of frown. Sometimes we need to let out our inner frustration in a constructive and positive way. Sometimes we just need a win. 

If you are clear on why you are engaging in this act of self-care, then it is a little easier for you to follow through. For you to achieve that which you seek you are going to have to be consistent. Which brings me to the last point. 

Consistency!

We have all probably heard the saying “Consistency is key!” A powerful sentiment delivered in 3 short words. The more you do a thing the more familiar and comfortable it becomes. Therefore, you are most likely to continue doing whatever it is. This couldn’t be more crucial to gagging the successfulness of your self-care. 

How often are you giving priority to your thing of choice? How invested do you get in it, are you driven or do you have a more casual approach. Once the desired outcome unfolds are you going to continue the process? Consistency, consistency, consistency, you owe it to yourself to be as consistent as you can possibly be when it comes to your self-care. This is your life after all and if you can go hard in other aspects of your life, then you owe it to yourself to do no less for your self-care. 

Remember, the effects of your self-care change depending on your level of consistency. Don’t be afraid to go the distance for your peace is priceless. 

In Closing

It’s no exaggeration to say that life gets hard and sometimes we need a break. An equalizer to level the playing field and balance that chaos with a little structure. I’m speaking about self-care. We all need to give priority to ourselves at some point or another. Figure out what brings you peace, then establish the purpose behind why you’re embarking on this self-care journey, and finally be consistent with whatever you choose to do. We cannot control much in this life, but we can control how we prioritize ourselves. Remember, self-care is the best care. Go forward and be blessed. You Got This!!!

The Art of Self-Care video: https://youtu.be/5WDC8FCT4lE