What is self-care? From the word itself, it’s the practice of looking after ourselves. Be it physical, mental, or emotional. It could be just taking a day off and sleeping in or even going out to unwind and relax. In fact, even a little retail therapy or window shopping could be seen as self-care! It’s all up to the individual how he chooses to define it.
But despite the peace and glamor that this concept entails, some people view it as self-centered and selfish – but is it really?
PRIORITIZING YOU = HELPING OTHERS
Case in point, inside our office, people we interviewed said that when they sleep in or have their “me time” on the weekends, they perform and collaborate with each other better. This is because taking care of ourselves usually determines how we show up for others. Sometimes, we forget that our bodies have limitations and that pushing it too far can cause consequences. Apart from that, there are also times when we get too wrapped up on deadlines that we forget to, as cheesy as it sounds, enjoy the little things in life. A nice delicious meal, quick weekend getaways, or even simply enjoying your morning cup of coffee – all could be savored if we just take a step back and breathe.
In the age of “hustle culture,” allotting time for ourselves gives us the time to de-stress and have the space to process things happening in our lives.
LET’S TAKE A STEP BACK
And so, it is always important to remember the world won’t suddenly catch on fire if we decide to give a day or two to ourselves. Maybe we can catch up on some sleep from working hours and hours on end, or maybe we can finally start that limited series we’ve been wanting to watch! Even as simple as dining by ourselves outside can help – ‘cos really it’s not a sin to pause the things we’re doing and say… “Hey, I need a break.”
To sum it up, there’s really no shame in choosing to take care of ourselves every now and then – especially in a world where everything can be fast paced.
Remember that we won’t be able to do what we need to do in our jobs if we’re all spent. It might come across to some that putting ourselves first is “selfish” but knowing when our bodies have had enough is actually considerate – it can help us unlock the best version of ourselves, which will be more helpful to those working alongside us.
