Self-care and living for me.
Living for me, not someone else’s version of what my life should look like. That may sound selfish or come across as harsh, and for some it is or could be a foreign concept (at least for me it was). You see, I’m what some would label a “people pleaser”. No, wait, let me rephrase that…I’m a former people pleaser, awakening from the pressure and exhaustion of trying to please those around me.
I can’t live the life others want me to live (and you shouldn’t either). Also, I can’t get caught up in someone else’s perception of me. We must live the life we were created and designed to live. When we live for another person, our purpose and calling in life is not fulfilled. We were each created for a specific assignment to leave a lasting impression in the lives of those we cross paths with.
The vision I was born with won’t make sense to some because it was given to me to fulfill. Along with this vision, I have the path to follow along with the necessary people in my life to assist, support, and encourage me along the way. Trying to explain my vision to someone who may not understand will only cause frustration for all parties involved. If resistance or disruption of my vision appears from someone who doesn’t fully understand the path I’m on, then my job is to have compassion and love them as I continue my journey.
Self-care is important in fulfilling my calling and purpose, because if I don’t take care of myself first, I’m no good to anyone else. Think of the instructions given on an airplane during take-off, “if cabin pressure changes, put your oxygen mask on first then take care of those around you”. If I’m struggling to breathe, how can I help anyone around me? Or how about the best advice I received as a new mother, “take a nap during the baby’s nap time”. Those words made no sense to me the first time I heard them because I thought my daughter’s nap time was my time to get laundry, dishes and dinner out of the way along with my long list of daily household chores. The importance of rest and self-care was explained to me in those precious words of wisdom.
Napping during my daughter’s nap time was a form of making a deposit into myself in order to be alert, refreshed and rested when she woke up. Household duties were saved for later when I placed her in the playpen or baby walker for playtime. 11 years later, I’m still making time for self-care.
Quiet time, daily reading, daily journaling, writing poetry, morning meditation, Epsom salt baths, bubble baths and yoga/dance/movement have become part of my daily ritual for “me time”. As a recovering people pleaser, self-care is important in eliminating exhaustion and confusion by meeting my needs and creating connection and clarity within in order to live out my calling and purpose in life.
Questions for you:
Are you living for yourself or someone else?
Are you a people pleaser?
Self-care…yes or no?
- If yes, how do you care for yourself?
- If no, why not?
I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Schedule a free call with me if you’re ready to step into your power with increased confidence and pleasure!