I know sometimes you’re exhausted, deep in your soul. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re looking for a way to have enough energy to move through the day, do the things and still have some for yourself.
And there’s so much advice and suggestions out there about self-care and taking time to rest and recharge. We’ve come a long way as a collective and a society when it comes to allowing ourselves to do that. I think it’s amazing. I think we do need to rest and recharge, so that we can enjoy life to the fullest, and show up as our whole selves.
I also think we need to take a deeper look, at what is making us so tired and depleted at our core.
I want to ask you – what makes you feel alive? And also, what is depleting your energy?
I want to offer a different perspective on self-care so that we can ask ourselves what is right for us in each moment.
Sometimes self-care is sleeping in.
Sometimes it’s getting up at 6am to go to yoga.
Sometimes self-care is reading a novel and escaping into another world.
Sometimes it’s facing the dark parts of ourselves.
When does self-care become an excuse for letting yourself down?
I know I’ve had this conversation in my head before:
*6.30am alarm goes off in time for 7am yoga class
“I’m tired, I should sleep in and skip yoga”
“But yoga makes me feel good.”
“But I’m tiiireeedd.”
“But yogaaaa”
I know yoga makes me feel alive, connected to my body and the world around me. Sleeping in for an extra hour – not necessarily.
When does self-care become an excuse for avoiding discomfort?
As you start to understand yourself better, you start to see patterns, habits that are working against you. Self-care can be doing the thing that you least want to do – have the difficult conversation, say yes to the salsa class, say no to going out for dinner because you’re putting money aside to pay off debt.
Here is a short practice to cultivate discernment.
Practice:
Often we feel like we don’t know what’s “best” for us. It’s a skill we can practice and develop. Also remember there’s no right or wrong – this is not about judging ourselves for the way we chose to go. It’s about discernment – what do I need right now? Today? This week?
For this practice, we’ll be using a mudra – or hand gesture. Mudras are a way to call in certain qualities by directing the flow of energy in the body.
The mudra is Guyan mudra – Mudra of Knowledge and Wisdom
How? Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pointer finger
Qualities? Inner strength, self-worth, confidence, wisdom, self-knowledge, love, connection to something bigger than ourselves
Settle into a comfortable seat (either in a chair or on the floor). Take a deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth and allow your eyes to close.
Bring the tip of the thumb to the tip of your pointer finger together. Bring your attention inwards, to the part of you that knows. For you it may be a gut feeling, or maybe it’s arriving at a neutral emotional state, or a sense of clarity.
Let your mind be the observer, allow your body and your breath to be the drivers of this process. Ask yourself – what do I need right now? Today? This week?
Keep the breath moving and observe what comes up for you.