Most of us have a to-do list that is longer than our arm!
- I need to get the shopping done
- someone has left a message for me to call them back
- my kids want me to play as soon as I’ve walked in the door
- I can’t get out of work on time because I need to complete the entire task list before I leave
- my boss doesn’t understand the stress I have outside of work
- I’ve got loads of texts and messages to reply to
- the house hasn’t been cleaned in weeks
- my to-do-list is only growing and not getting smaller…
And the list could go on. What examples do you have of how life may be getting on top of you?
In my early-mid 20’s this was my life. I was always on the go, I was saying ‘yes’ to everyone and everything without thinking first about previous commitments. I was out most nights of the week and I was (attempting) to balance my work, social commitments, personal and family situations. I didn’t know how to balance it all so I felt alone and unsupported.
Self-Care is the art of valuing who you are and is the key way to preventing mental and physical illness. For me, the journey of learning to put myself ‘on the list’ and working out how to look after myself has changed my life. I experienced burnout in my early 20’s which forced me to learn what self-care is and value my life and who I am. I began to discover what living life to the fullest could look like. I believe Jesus told me that He came to give me life in abundance. As I began to look after me, I began to experience life to the fullest and life in abundance.
In my work as a counsellor, I hear a lot of people say something similar to the following phrase “my husband/friend/boss should just know what I need’. How great would it be if he/she always knew what we needed? I used to think this as well and then I learned how unrealistic that expectation is to place on people. I learned how important communication is and that sharing with those in your life what’s going on will help them to know how to best support you. To assume others will know how to help you and know how you’re feeling without telling them doesn’t make sense. What we need to learn to do is to ask people for help. There is no shame in doing that and we can learn the art of vulnerability and courage to ask for what we need.
I am passionate about helping people learn how to look after themselves, instead of only looking after others in their life. As the saying goes ‘prevention is better than cure.’ Learning ways to implement and live a life of self-care will prevent mental and physical illness.
Prevent burnout by learning to say ‘no’.
Prevent drug and alcohol abuse by knowing in your heart that you are valued and don’t need to look for an escape.
Prevent relationship breakdown by learning how to communicate.
Prevent physical illness by valuing a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Prevent loneliness by believing you are loved and learning how to ask for help.
Prevention is better than cure. Implementing self-care preventative tools can be life changing. Self-care is about getting to know yourself more deeply and valuing who you are so you can share that person with the world. When we feel like we are stuck in a cycle of overwhelm our relationships are impacted, our productivity reduces and our energy levels go downhill quickly. This is why getting to know yourself and what you need (emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually) and valuing who you are is beneficial to living your best life and preventing burnout, mental illness and physical illness.
Isn’t prevention always better than cure? Many of us believe it and yet as a population we struggle to live it on a daily basis.
Join the self-care revolution. Learn to value yourself. Learn to connect. Learn to be courageous. Learn to be compassionate. Learn about you.
Take Care on the Journey.
Journeez, Adelaide, are specialists in Self Care and learning to look after yourself in this fast-paced society. Please contact us today for further information about Self Care, Personal Development and Brené Brown workshops and seminars for businesses, churches or community groups or to book a counselling appointment. You are also welcome to join the Journeez community by subscribing to this blog or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Choosing Courage, Vulnerability and Living Life to the Fullest.
