What you want is not always what you need.
I don’t know about you, but life feels pretty heavy sometimes. There’s a weight. My shoulders carry it. My head knows it. My heart feels it. If you’re feeling low on energy, overwhelmed by the list of ‘need to… have to… should do…’ or just in need of something to pick you up a little, take a moment to reflect on what will truly help you.
There are the things I think I want – things that take the edge off, provide a short-term relief. Then there are those things that I know will help, that nurture my soul and remind me to reset. I thought I’d share my lists with you.
What I think will help:
- To inhale sugar, usually in the form of a ‘sharing’ sized chocolate bar I have no intention of sharing.
- A glass (or two) of wine.
- To shop online.
- To curl up under a blanket in front of the TV.
- To scroll on social media and lose myself in a world of comparisons.
What I know will help:
- To go outside and be in nature.
- To go to bed earlier and have a wonderful night’s sleep.
- To read a book in a warm bath.
- To hug my family.
- To get on my yoga mat – even just for 10 minutes.
- To be still, to breathe, to meditate.
- To sing.
- To drink a glass of water.
Take a moment to reflect on what your lists would look like.
Write them down if it helps. Build yourself the toolkit for those moments you need it.
In the immediate short term, your habitual mind that thrives on craving and wanting, will probably feel a little cheated. Where’s my TV? My wine? My mindless scrolling? Ultimately, where’s my escape? My numbness?
But the anaesthetic we think we want is soon replaced by an aliveness we know we need. An awakening to all the little things in life that make it magical. A stillness and strength deep inside that is always within you.
What’s in your self-care toolkit?
