But what actually is self-care? Is it really eating the chocolate, taking the bubble bath, going to bed early, or getting a massage (#selfcare)?
No, self-care is more than that. One bubble bath won't really take away the toll of a week of stress. Your sleep will still suffer, your body will still hurt, and you'll end up struggling, in spite of all the self-care you've lavished on yourself.
It's time to change the definition.
Self-care is anything that consistently makes your life less hard. Self-care is the stuff you do now so that the day, or next week, or next month, or next year will be less difficult to live.
On a daily basis, my self-care looks like going to the gym and lifting heavy weights, so that carrying my laundry baskets up the stairs is easy. It might feel hard in the moment, but those moments are actually when I am caring the most about my self.
Self-care looks like choosing healthy foods for your body. It might mean passing on alcohol or soda and choosing water. It might be saying no to chocolate and warming up a bowl of peas instead.
Self-care might be paying down debt instead of going on vacation, so that maybe one day, your life won't be as financially stressful.
Self-care might mean taking time each day to pray and study so that when you really need it, your faith doesn't fail.
Self-care might mean being honest with a friend about how you are doing. It might mean asking for help. It might mean confessing that you aren't doing as well as you'd like to be doing; you don't have to put up a good show all the time. It might mean that you say no because your plate is full enough.
Self-care doesn't have to be about self-gratification. In fact, they are more opposites than similarities. Self-gratification tells you to give up, or give in, or quit when things are hard, even when those things are worthwhile. But if you truly want to care for yourself, you'll embrace those things that will truly make your life better.
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