This pair of words has recently gained so much popularity that its true meaning has become somewhat hazy. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it a buzzword or a trend but I wouldn’t disagree either. Don’t get me wrong. Some might argue that the nature of this topic is ambiguous but I believe exactly what the title says.

Self-care is so much more than bubble baths, lotions and chocolate cakes and an extra episode of your favourite TV show. I believe it’s more than ‘self-care tips’ that give you short-term happiness. Self-care is also often confused with ‘doing what you feel like at the moment’. Self-care isn’t skipping workout today because you ‘feel like it’ and because ‘it’s self-care when you’re listening to yourself’. Of course, you should do whatever you feel like, but without compromising on your future.

Self care is getting out of your comfort zone, seeking opportunities to grow, enforcing a morning routine, making yourself healthy meals, following your work ethic and making an effort to build the kind of life that you would love to wake up to.

The word ‘self-care’ has been so rightly defined by the famous writer Brianna Weist:

“True self-care is not bath salts and chocolate cake, it’s making a choice to build a life you don’t need to escape from. That often takes doing the things you least want to do.

It means looking your failures and disappointments square in the eye and re-strategising. It is not satiating your immediate desires. It is letting go. It is choosing new. It is disappointing some people. It is making sacrifices for others. It is living a way that people won’t, so maybe you can live in a way other people can’t.”

-Brianna Weist

Self-care is a lifestyle. It’s choosing to care for your future self by making the right choices in the present. It is a way of life keeping in mind to do what’s best for your future self. Personally, I don’t believe self-care days; but rather in caring for myself everyday— because I wouldn’t care for myself a day a week and expect a better life for my future self.

Also, self-care doesn’t usually need money. It doesn’t require you to buy expensive products to care for your body or any other aspect of yourself. Self-care only requires you to actively participate in building yourself the life you dream of.

Another way people do self-care wrong without even realising it is indulging into it. Self-care can be following your work ethic and taking regular breaks to prevent burnouts but what is not self-care is not doing something because you don’t want to or you don’t feel like it, because then you’re merely seeking an escape. You need to know your limits; when you can and when you can’t. Self-care is not an excuse to not do something but rather a reason to do something (better). Indulgence, escape or seeking loopholes is so not self-care.

Some forms of self-care can be:

• Practising gratitude
• Practising mindfulness
• Saying no (to yourself or others— in the right situation)
• Meditation
• Yoga/ exercise
• Spending more time with your loved ones
• Transforming a negative mindset into a positive one
• Getting enough sleep and maximising consumption of fresh and healthy foods and many more.

Self-care can be ugly— and unpleasant, but you have to keep reminding yourself to cherish and care for the beautiful mind, body and soul that you’ve been blessed with. I hope I was able to express my views and opinions about the topic effectively.

On a concluding note, along with caring for yourself, remember to help others too. Spread your positivity! 😊

And of course, a Merry Christmas to all of you! 🎄😊