dear woman,
- Are you more “burned out” than you think, and run out of energy most of the time?
- Are you too exhausted to be truly present with the closest people in your life?
- When people ask how you’re doing, you say “Great!” even though you’re dragging yourself with your last ounce of energy?
- Do you feel that your needs do not count?
Despite all the progress we have made over the years, being a woman today is more difficult than ever. Many of us are still victims of a deep-seated collective belief that it is selfish to put ourselves first. No matter how many opportunities we’ve gotten, we’re often expected to play the role of primary caregiver, not just for our children, but for our parents and partners as well.
The whole truth is that today’s woman fulfills a triple function: as a result, there is less time than ever to focus on ourselves, both internally and externally.
Ultimately, however, nothing, no matter how important the roles we play may be, should be done at the expense of our own well-being.
***
When we care about ourselves first, we become role models: for our children, our partners and, above all, for others. By bringing our whole selves into the equation – rested, playful, creative, sexy and smart – we build the foundation for doing what we need to do in a balanced and harmonious way. This offers unexpected results: the true joys of creativity, spontaneity, energy, productivity, and love.
This is not selfishness; It is the essence of self-care.
***
The Dalai Lama has said that it is the Western woman who will lead us into the new world. That’s quite a mandate, and also a compliment! But to do that, we must first learn to take care of ourselves, or we will miss the mark and fall short of our potential.
This means:
- Putting ourselves first and practicing Self-Care every day.
- Love ourselves from the inside out.
- Learning to love our bodies just the way they are.
- Discover the true meaning of “brotherhood”, as we support each other instead of competing with each other.
Many of us mistakenly believe that self-care will be just another huge waste of time and energy, one more set of demands to put on the “to do” list. But true self-care is actually 180 degrees the other way around.
What would you need to make personal care a vital part of your daily life?
***
I invite you, a woman who cares about herself and her world, to practice Self-Care and “make our lives our own dance”. Only then will we have the opportunity to develop our potential as women, walking towards the new world, step by step.
Here are four exercises to strengthen your Self-care, from wherever you are:
1) Turn off all technology devices and sit quietly for five minutes every day.
2) Do something that you consider playing “just for you” for at least fifteen minutes a day. This could mean anything: dancing in your living room, reading a book, taking a bath, singing, or listening to music.
3) Ask yourself: what do I really need and want? What is it that really matters to me? Start making a list of the things you love to do.
4) Make the following quote your mantra: “Only go as fast as the slowest part of you can go.”
This is the first in a series of articles.
I always want to hear from you
lynda