"Self-care" is a word I’ve struggled to truly connect with. 

 

Everywhere on social media it's being slung around, used either like a good reason or an acceptable excuse when we desire to do something exciting and luxurious; or when we don’t want to do something uncomfortable. 
And while some of these moments may truly be valid, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that this version of self-care is superficial.

 

But.

Everything shifted for me today during a COMENSA webinar where the speaker, Belinda Davies, offered a different and far more balanced definition of self-care:

“The conscious, holistic practice of taking charge of your own physical, mental and emotional health to prevent disease, manage stress and improve overall well-being. It involves daily, proactive habits rather than once-off indulgent treats.”

 

Now is that WOW!

Not indulgence. Not avoidance. Not escape.

But intentional maintenance of ourselves.

And that really landed.

 

This implies that true self-care isn’t always comfortable or convenient - not always a bubble bath or a quiet night in, although those definitely have their place. 
Sometimes self-care looks like:

  • Having that difficult but necessary conversation
  • Setting a boundary and holding it
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Moving your body when you’d rather be doing nothing
  • Asking for help
  • Following through on something that matters to you

 

Thus, self-care often presents itself in the daily, sometimes unglamorous, choices that support who we are and who we are becoming.

That's powerful.

And that’s where real self-care begins.