I went for a walk in the woods today.
It has always been one of my favourite things to do.
As the leaves were tumbling over my trainers, I found myself thinking about how if we want to be productive in the world, we need to engage in solid self care regimes.
I love the phrase I heard recently: radical self care.
It’s a good one because giving ourselves the right amount of self care will feel radical for a lot of us.
Back to the woods.
Glancing at the bronze leaves on the trees,
I was reminded that nature isn’t productive all year round.
It draws inwards.
It retreats from the world for months before it emerges with sparkling new green leaves.
Nothing works eternally.
Even machines rust, and need maintenance.
Are our expectations of ourselves actually realistic?
It’s an important question.
We must take care of ourselves.
This means everyday, yes everyday, making time for meals we enjoy; finding time for at least one activity that brings a skip to our step, or warmth to our heart; & connecting with someone who makes us howl with laugher.
Anything less than radical self care is self sabotage.
We have an endless bunch of reasons to put off self care.
I don’t have enough time. I can’t afford it. We all have our own go-to list.
We do not have the time or the energy to skimp on our self care. Unless we have the luxury of putting our mental, physical or emotional wellbeing at risk.
So I say, we cannot afford to leave this out.
We need more conversations like this.
So people don’t beat themselves up for the unsustainable, or unrealistic.
So that we can start to feel enough as we are.
So we can have needs, and do our best to meet them.
We cannot succeed in a worthwhile way, if we’re battered and bruised at the finishing line.
When will we finally give ourselves permission for nourishment, care & joy?