​What kinds of things do you do to care for yourself?

     Most people have an innate capacity for nurturing and providing care for others.

Women, especially, are encouraged to anticipate and meet the needs of others. We are built with the purpose of nurturing children, families, jobs, communities, and the world.

     Most of us take our responsibility to care for one another extremely seriously. Those people in our lives who need to be cared for receive our undivided attention and best efforts. I am no stranger to burn out or the drive that keeps us on that road!

     Many of us do not have anyone else in our lives who is aware of our individual boundaries. That is a responsibility that falls squarely on our shoulders. How much of your time and effort do you put into tending to your own needs? We tend to believe we can put off caring for ourselves indefinitely while nourishing all these other people in our lives.

     The beauty of taking care of yourself is that it will bring a sense of calm and abundance to all your connections, which is its greatest benefit.

     Consider the following: Are you better prepared to deal with a stressful situation after you’ve spent 15 minutes reading an enjoyable book or rushing to complete a tedious report for work?  

     What are some of the things that make you feel pampered and indulged? A steaming mug of tea to enjoy while you relax on the back porch? Eating dinner in the glow of candlelight? Taking a relaxing soak in my bathtub is one of my favorite things to do. Because it provides such a sense of indulgence, I made the decision a few years ago that I was going to treat myself to it daily. And I have! The novelty of taking a bath has never worn off for me, although I’m not always mindful of it.

Show yourself a little loveliness!

Let me know how it goes, Allison

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