Treat Yo’ Self

Pride.

Goodness, that word makes me cringe. Being the Enneagram Two that I am, pride is the unseemly downfall with which I have been blessed.

I take pride in all aspects of my life, however, the one area that I believe to be vital is making others feel wanted & happy. If I am not making my family, close friends, (heck, even someone I just met today), happy, I have miserably failed. Silly, right? You cannot make everyone happy. You cannot make everyone feel desired and constantly pursued. Yet, here I am, trying to do just that.

I take pride in others – if they become more content and joyful because of me, then points!

It may seem as though taking pride in another human’s fulfillment is noble…when in all actuality, it’s selfish. {But we’ll talk more about that dysfunctional piece of my personality at a later date.}

Suffice to say, I spend a great deal of effort on other people. Because I like other people, generally. 🙃

What I take issue with is…well, me. I do not focus on myself for very long. It feels self-centered and entitled to spend time on myself – in any capacity. Nevertheless, I am learning and trying to teach myself something new…and quite unnatural for me.

I am being drawn toward time alone.

Don’t get me wrong, I have always known that I recharge sans people. I gain energy from the emptiness – filling the space tends to give me anxiety. I just feel this guilt when I’m alone. “There are so many things I could be doing right now”, I tell myself. So, instead of praying or resting or doing anything beneficial for my body or spirit, I check a few items off of the endless to-do list.

Oops.

I am (very, very slowly) working on making myself a priority. In a spirit of honesty, that still sounds absolutely gross to me. I do not need or want to be on my list of priorities. But here’s the thing: if I don’t care for myself, even just a little bit, I cannot care for and love others in the best way possible.

Therefore, self-care.

If you’re like me, you have no idea where to start here. But I’m gonna help you out. That’s why I’m here, after all.

Here are a few of my favorite “self-care” practices/products.

• Stillness and Prayer: I could do this every minute of every day and I still don’t think it would be enough. Spending time in silence, listening for and waiting on the voice of the Father is so necessary and so good. This is beneficial not only for your soul, but for your physical self. Rest in Jesus and find strength beneath His wings.
• Essential Oils: These things work wonders. Trust me. If you’re stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, angry, sad, exhausted, irritable, sick…really, any time, any emotion, any physical state – essential oils can be your best friend. I diffuse, ingest, and/or apply oils daily. I’ve linked a few of my favorites for anxiety here, here and here. Amongst many other qualities, they help center my mind, which I feel is their greatest accomplishment.
• Buying sustainable clothing (that actually makes you feel good about yourself): I have found that investing in durable and sustainable items can be therapeutic (and fun). I recently received these AMAZING hemp underwear from wamaunderwear.com and I love them. Really and truly. They are breathable, cute, comfy AND naturally-derived. I feel confident when I wear them (which is really how you should feel about every item of your wardrobe). Get yourself a pair here.
• Taking the time to care for my skin/face/body: Ugh. I’ve never been one to put time into any sort of skincare routine. Who would’ve thought that it would actually be beneficial? 🤦🏼‍♀️ I have been using Alba Botanica products on my face and hair and have noticed a remarkable difference. I have also been dairy-free for over a year now and I feel a significant change in my overall levels of energy. Everyone’s hair, skin, and body is unique – so find a regimen that works for you and stick to it!

I could go on, but you get the picture. This isn’t a routine I’ve perfected. It’s not even something I practice regularly. I’m actively trying to “make time” for these things. Also, these might not be the ways that you practice self-care. That’s okay. Just find something that works and make yourself a priority. It might cost you time, money – you might even have to say “no” to someone (my greatest fear) – but trust me, it’s worth it.

P.S. The links above are not affiliate links. I just really, truly love these products and I can’t hide it! I just wanted to share some of my favorite things with ya. ❤️