What are we worth if we don’t take care of ourselves?
Happy new week dear friend!
Last week I started a series on the importance of self-care and why self-care shouldn’t be an afterthought. In that newsletter, I shared I will be exploring today’s topic - What are we worth if we don’t take care of ourselves?
In the weeks where I was taken ill and the ones after taught me a few important lessons and that was where this question came to me. As I looked at how I kept on pushing and pushing and not properly switching off and recharging I wondered was I valuing my worth? Would I impose this on a loved one?
Why did I feel the need to keep on pushing? Well, it came down to the goals I had set and their timelines drawing close. I was getting closer to the deadlines and the goals weren’t reached and even though I know better I still thought pushing through the fatigue would help.
When I reflected on this episode again I realised I wasn't treating myself with the respect that showed I valued myself. Bearing in mind that our sense of self-worth is deeply tied to how we treat ourselves, neglecting my mental, emotional, and physical well-being, sent a subconscious message to myself that my needs didn’t matter. So what was I worth when I was neglecting my own self-care? Not much as I couldn’t execute my tasks and could be around people.
However, I know better so I took full responsibility and went back to the fundamentals. My basic rituals which had somehow been pushed to the back of all rituals, simple rituals that allowed me to take care of my physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Some of these daily rituals which I went back to are
Morning Mindfulness/Devotion: Start my day with intention. Spending about 20-30 minutes reading and meditating
Physical Movement: I’ve always been active but the last couple of months have seen other things taking over my gym routines so I made a pact with myself to get back on my yoga mat about twice a week and walk 10,000 steps daily.
Digital Detox: Setting aside time to unplug from social media or work emails. This allows me to recharge mentally and emotionally.
Nourish My Body: I love to cook but sometimes the easier options aren’t always the best so I decided to prioritise choosing foods that fuel my body, not just in moments of indulgence, but as a loving commitment to my overall health.
Rest and Sleep: Lastly, prioritising quality sleep has become non-negotiable. Research shows that rest is a much better form of healing and restoration so going to bed early and making sure to get a minimum of 8 hours is our new norm. Going back to these routines has been a game changer again and would like to encourage you to look into some practices that can help you if you need some self-care inspiration.
It’s interesting but setting these intentions and actually practising them gave me that wonderful sensation of knowing that I was putting myself first once again. That I was now appreciating my worth because I know cultivating self-worth requires patience and compassion toward ourselves but so does practising self-care. Taking time to care for ourselves is setting a solid foundation from which we can engage optimally with the world around us and be of help to those we encounter.
So, as we start a new week and as you go about your day, ask yourself: Am I treating myself with the care I deserve?
And if you are saying to yourself I will do this and that when I have time remember - you are worth the time, the energy, and the effort it takes to nurture yourself. Prioritize your well-being, not just as a one-time act, but as an ongoing commitment to self-care and building your self-worth. If you feel like you need some help don’t hesitate to reach out.
Have a great week.
Love & light
Sheila Daisy