If you’ve been paying attention this last month, we’ve been building quite a collection of items for your Inner Child Toolbox! The next thing we’re adding is quite an important one. Without Self-Care, everything we do from this point forward most likely will not become a habit. You know how they say that unless you have a strong foundation, anything built upon it will never take hold, never flourish, never hold? Think of this stop on our adventure as building that foundation.
Wanna catch up on creating your own Inner Child Toolbox?
Click the button below to sign up for my mailing list and get the first FREE downloadables!
Okay, it’s quiz time.
When I say Self-Care, what honestly comes to mind?
Be honest!
Did this pop into your mind?
That’s fine if it did! Your physical body is certainly a huge part of your self-care routine. (We’ll soon learn that it does not always need to be an expensive spa event; you’ll find that your very own kitchen holds the best ingredients for an at-home spa day.)
But did you happen to think about this one?
Or this one?
How about this one?
Guess what? They are all correct!
Why?
Because there are many types of Self-Care!
~Let’s explore six Self-Care Types today!~
Emotional: acknowledging and attending to your inner feelings
Simply journaling with a hot cup of coffee or tea can focus and calm. Some call it Morning Pages, others call it a diary. Whatever the name, the ways to use them are endless.
Physical: taking care of your inside and outside bodily needs
Be it walking, yoga, or eating a healthy meal, it all revolves around how you treat your body, inside and out, on a daily basis.
Spiritual: understanding your personal beliefs and values
Prayer, meditating, and nature immersion all fall under this one. Even creating a personal vision board can help you heal your spirit.
Social: creating relationships with others
Communicating with family and friends can be healthy! Try game nights or group outings. Online support groups are growing in number by the day and can be extremely beneficial to your self-care plan too!
Practical: adopting a reset, recharge, and relax attitude
Just go with me for a minute…. yes, budgeting can be part of your self-care routine. It can help prevent future stress. The less stress you have over bills, savings, and projects… the more relaxed you will be!
Mental: nurturing your psychological wellbeing
Pick up a new hobby! Crafting, painting, knitting, writing…. the list goes on and on and on. Do something that will stimulate your mind.
For further information on your mental health, visit the NIMH website here.
“Love yourself first and everything
Lucille Ball
falls into line.”
So now, let’s move onto the GUILT part of Self-Care!
In order to get all the benefits of the above-mentioned activities, the FIRST thing you must do is get rid of the self- imposed guilt about taking time to tend to your needs. Easier said than done, I know. Believe me, I am still working on this one with you. So, that is what we’re going to look at today.
In a nutshell:
- You are NOT ignoring those around you by taking time to care for yourself!
- Self-Care really does not need to be lavish. (We’ll explore this one in more detail later, so stick with me!)
- It will NOT happen overnight! It is a process for those who are not used to taking time for yourself. I will take work making things into habits. (But that’s what this journey is all about, right?)
- Please, I repeat, do NOT compare yourself to others! We may be on the same adventure, but our traveling styles will be different. I honor that about all of us!
Now that we know we NEED to take care of ourselves, inside and out, let’s focus on getting familiar with each Self-Care type.
- Pick ONE and focus on just that one for a week. Pick an activity that feels good to you, one that you think you will be able to stick with and create that habit we’re looking for.
- This is your chance to be creative and start thinking back to your childhood! What made you happy? What helped you feel relaxed? What brought comfort to you?
- Finally, remember to have fun with it! It’s not a chore, a job, or task. It’s care–Self-Care.
How do you start this part of the adventure?
Here’s you free quick reference sheet of each type of Self-Care, with room for your personal notes!
Click on the button below to download the next printable for your Inner Child Toolbox!
Be sure to check out my daily devotional, The Diary of a Dragonfly, too! I wrote it with all six Self-Care types in mind.
It makes an excellent addition to your Inner Child Toolbox!
Next Stop on our Adventure: We’ll explore the Chemistry of Happiness!
