Don’t Have Time for Self-Care? Epic Fail!

Don’t Have Time for Self-Care? Baloney!

I’ve been talking about self-care a lot lately and one reason is because I’m finding more and more women are struggling with it.

Another reason is because after having had a huge burnout period a few years ago, I’m now a self-proclaimed #selfcareaddict and try to make sure I do something for me EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.

After talking with some of my peeps and my homegirls, the most common excuses as to why they don’t plan more “me” time in their schedules are:

• Feel guilty about doing so
• Feel it’s selfish to put herself first
• Don’t have time for self-care

Have you found yourself making these same excuses?

Self-Care Misconceptions

First of all, I have to bust some myths about self-care.

• Self-care is NOT selfish or self-indulgent.
• Self-care is NOT just for the rich and famous.
• Self-care is NOT only about spa days and fancy vacations.
• Self-care is NOT a time-consuming chore that you “should” do.
• Self-care is NOT a luxury, but a necessity.
• Self-care is NOT the same for everyone – what works for one person might not work for another.
• Self-care is NOT something that can be neglected without consequences.
• Self-care is NOT a one-time event, but a regular practice.
• Self-care is NOT just about physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being.

Then, What is Self-Care?

Self-care is how you take your power back.

Lalah Delia

Great question! What I love about this question is that it will be different for everyone, which is a good thing.

Here’s how I feel about what self-care is.

• Self-care is like a big, warm hug for your soul.
• It’s about showing yourself some love and kindness, just like you would to your bestie.
• It’s taking a moment to check-in with yourself, asking “How am I doing?” and really listening to the answer.
• It’s about doing things that light you up, make you smile, and fill your cup. Whether that’s a dance party in your living room, a quiet moment with a good book, or a walk in nature – it’s all about YOU.
• It’s about taking care of your own needs so you can be the best version of yourself.
• And the best part? Your self-care routine is as unique as you are.

So, let’s celebrate self-care for what it truly is – a personal journey of love, respect, and kindness towards ourselves.

Define it for yourself and make your self-care practice work for you!

The Importance of Taking Time for Yourself

Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.

Katie Reed

Did you know that there are a multitude of health benefits of self-care and taking time for yourself? And when you don’t do so, you run into a bunch of consequences I’m sure you don’t want!

The first benefit, though, is self-care is a magic potion for stress. It helps to lower your cortisol levels, which means less stress and more peace. Ahhh, can you feel the peace yet?

Secondly, it’s a big boost for your mental health. Regular self-care can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. It’s like a breath of fresh air for your mind!

But that’s not all. Self-care can also improve your physical health. Whether it’s through better sleep, healthier eating, or regular exercise, self-care can lead to a stronger immune system, increased energy levels, and overall better physical health.

And let’s not forget about the benefits for your emotional well-being. Self-care can lead to increased self-esteem, improved self-confidence, and a greater sense of self-worth.

Overall, the health benefits of self-care are clear. It’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have for your overall well-being!

Self-care can be short and sweet, simple and cheap. Share on X

Self-care is for everyone, can be simple, and doesn’t have to take up your whole day. And with a little creativity in time and energy management and a shift in your priorities, you can greatly increase the amount of self-care time in your routine.

This list is in order, from least to highest, of how much time it can take for simple things.

• Go to bed earlier. (-20 minutes; yep, you actually gain much needed rest time here!)
• Listen to soothing sounds. (0 minutes; just pop it on before you go to sleep!)
• Disconnect from tech. (1 minute; don’t let your phone or computer be the very first thing you look at in the mornings or the very last thing at night; add in a few moments of me time instead; go old school!)
• Smile. (1 second)
• Say thanks. (3 seconds; keep an attitude of gratitude)
• Kiss and greet your partner for affection and connection. (10-15 seconds)
• Take 3 deep breaths before hopping out of bed. (10-15 seconds)
• Pet the cat or dog. (60 seconds; if your pet is anything like my cat, you might need to make that 3 minutes LOL)
• Simple stretches to wake up the body. (1-5 minutes)
• Massage yourself. (5 minutes; give yourself a gentle massage with a scented lotion or oil.)
• Acknowledge the successes of the day and lessons learned. (5 minutes)
• Quiet time in the car. (5 minutes; great to decompress, especially after a long day)
• Mentally create and plan your day. (5 minutes)
• Drink a glass of water. (5 minutes)
• Listen to a favorite song. (5 minutes)
• Dance break. (5 minutes; can be used in conjunction with the item above!)
• Take a minute or a few to be present. Notice your surroundings, the sounds, the smells, the sensations. It’s a mini-mindfulness practice! (5-10 minutes)
• Write in your journal. (5-20 minutes)
• Watch a funny video or read a few jokes. (10 minutes)
• Plan your tasks for tomorrow. (10 minutes)
• Have a healthy snack. (10 minutes)
• Doodle or sketch. (10 minutes)
• Read a chapter in one of the books you’ve been meaning to read. (10-15 minutes)
• Move for health. (10-45 minutes; notice I didn’t say exercise; that word may not have the right energy for you so use the word “movement” instead!)
• Buy yourself some flowers. (15 minutes; real or fake)
• Send a quick text or make a short call to a loved one. (15 minutes)
• Take a nap or break. (20 minutes; and light a candle while you do so)
• Make a cup of herbal tea. (20 minutes)
• Take a bath. (20-30 minutes; get more use out of that candle!)
• Look through an old photo album. (20-30 minutes; I loooove doing this because looking back at fond memories of good times with great people always puts a smile on my face!)
• Pop some popcorn and watch TV. (1-2 hours; schedule it in your calendar to release any guilty feelings about doing so!)
• Work your brain by doing something creative and crafty. (1-2 hours; this could be working on a puzzle, coloring, making something, drawing, etc.)

Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions About Self-Care

Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.

Audre Lorde

Over to you…

Know this, you cannot serve yourself or others on empty so your investment in self-care is one of the best things you could ever invest in throughout your entire life.

Just don’t get it twisted and think that self-care is only things like massages, manis and pedis and elaborate, expensive vacations. Those things are awesome but not necessary and can be very time-consuming. Try the simple options above and establish your own self-care routine over time!

Watch, you’ll be happier, healthier and feel soooooo much better!

What’s your favorite self-care method? How often do you make time for it?