Self Care & Jesus

Are you tired, friend?

I’m tired.

I’m tired of politics. I’m tired of watching human beings tear one another apart. I’m tired of people being unsupportive of one another at work. I’m tired of worrying about church people. I’m tired of finances, getting another degree, thinking about winter, preparing for the holidays and this mundane routine.

Maybe you are tired too?

I’m not sure what the answers are. Being in a funk is not a way of life for me. There are wonderful things I am missing out on. I am tired of all these life-sucking things.

It’s not that I don’t care about any of them. I don’t mind trying to find solutions to problems, big and small. I can work on a team and implement solutions. I can have a conversation with people who may not believe as I do.

I simply don’t want to.

Are there others as worn as I am?

Ready to throw in the towel a take a moment?

Thinking about turning around and walking away from all of it?

What are we waiting for?

Self-care.

 It is the most important thing we can do for ourselves, our family and our co-workers. We hear a lot of people talk about it, but rarely see people actually doing it. It seems there is some myth that it consists of expensive massages, trips and time off work or on a sabbatical.

Self-care is anything we do that enriches our personal well being and does not negatively affect others around us.

Sipping coffee on the couch while journaling. Talking on the phone to a friend with no distractions. Eating a meal at the table with a spouse, sharing dreams. Riding a bike taking in all of creation. Reading an entire book in one day. Turning off the television and radio. Staying home and enjoying the house and family. Working in the garden. Relaxing around a fire. Submerging ourselves in scripture.

We spend a lot of time investing in others. We need to spend time investing in ourselves, too. Take some time and consider the possibilities. When we are worn, the last thing we do is think of ourselves. We think of all the ways we are falling behind or failing. We wear ourselves down wearing ourselves out.

Jesus took time.

He pulled away from the crowds and prayed. He took a moment to re-group. If we are to strive to be like him, shouldn’t we do this also?

The best self-care tips will look different for each of us. It’s the small things. Most of my self-care is free. I turn off my electronics. Having my own wind-down space is everything. Knowing my comfort level is important. Asking for space is a good thing. Here are some small but effective self-care things we can do at home.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit in your favorite spot. Turn off the lights and television. Find a space for you and claim it.

Hide in your car. I have spent many lunch breaks in my car with quiet music on the radio. I lock the doors and lean back the seat.

Lock the bathroom door and mask your face, wax your eyebrows, moisturize or paint your nails. Girly stuff is self-care too.

Deep clean your desk. My desk gets to be a mess at home. Keeping the surface cleaned off eliminates extra stress for me.

Binge watch a favorite series and eat a favorite snack. On occasion, I order a Greek pizza for lunch and half-watch television or read a book.

Go for a walk. Take your camera. You would be surprised at the things within 100 yards of your home.

When I need a physical fix, I use yoga, meditation, flaxseed or rice microwave heating pads or a bike ride.

Caring for our selves is important. How are we supposed to care for everyone else when we are falling apart?

Xoxo