When was the last time you did something for yourself?
Whether it was deciding to treat yourself with a little something or travel for some R&R, how often do you practice self-care?
Well, as good as above sounds, there’s a common misconception that many of us have about self-care: that it’s only about indulgence and enjoyment.
However, self-care goes far beyond indulgence. It’s actually about respecting your mind and body, understanding its limits, and being able to take care of every part of yourself, in a holistic way.
And, you really don’t have to go to extreme measures or do anything specific–like meditating or following a plant-based diet–to practice self-care. You just have to make sure that what you’re doing is in your best interests.
So how can you make that happen?
Below are a few proven methods that will help you become a better version of yourself. Follow through with these regularly and you’ll be well on your way to living your very best life.
1. Listen to Yourself
The bulk of self-care is knowing yourself.
This means knowing your body’s limitations and being in tune with your feelings, emotions, and thoughts. So it’s important, then, to know who you are and what you want to do in life, to truly say that you know yourself.
What is your purpose?
Have you ever thought about this question?
Your purpose doesn’t have to remain the same throughout your life. What you found a purpose in at age 19 would likely be different at age 49.
In your current situation, think about the different roles that you have – as a working professional, a spouse, a partner, a parent, etc.
Do you feel like you are fulfilling your purpose through any of these roles?
All you have to do is ensure that what you’re chasing is meaningful to you; this will bring focus and motivation as you strive to achieve your goals.
If you have your purpose defined, then that’s awesome! You know what drives you and why.
But, if you don’t feel like you have a purpose nailed down, it’s good to start by asking why.
For example, why are you working in your particular job or industry? If the reason is vague or unclear, then your motivational energy will be the same. In which case, you may find yourself not having a direction for where you’re headed in life.
If you’d like to learn more about finding your purpose, then I recommend you check out this article:
How to Get Motivated and Be Happy Every Day When You Wake Up
2. Seek Out Continuous Education
Now, this may seem less common when you think of self-care, but lifelong learning is incredibly useful and an important component of taking care of yourself.
It’s Super Practical
Lifelong learning is extremely practical these days and does not require as much effort as it may have in the past. Long gone are the days when you could only find information on something by visiting a library. In this day of the internet, anything you can imagine is at your fingertips.
You don’t need to physically go to a learning institution to learn. You can watch Youtube videos to learn new skills, take online courses to earn a degree, and scroll through an endless amount of articles, books, and journals from reputable news and information sites.
