“Self-care is not about self-indulgence, it’s about self-preservation.” — Audrey Lorde

I have been taking the time to do self-reflection (the first step in self-care for me) and in the last 6 months, I have faced some extremely personal, difficult, and painful things. I’ve lost 2 dogs (to heart failure and to old age) and 2 family members passed away (my uncle to cancer and my aunt to a heart attack). I had emergency gall bladder removal surgery which resulted in an early miscarriage of my “miracle pregnancy”. And I have an ongoing Achilles tendon injury. All within 1/2 a year. It’s a lot. A lot to process emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

They say time heals all wounds and it certainly is a natural, merciful, and necessary aid. You have to seize the moments, all the quiet spaces in between the noise of living on, to not only grieve, but to release. Over time. You can not be whole again without giving yourself the gift of self-care.

Some days that means doing “sun salutations” (Yoga pose), deep breathing, and stretching right after waking up, some days that means looking for inspiration in a book with a candle lit, listening to the rain. Some days you may need to stay in bed, crying, or watching movies and some days you might feel motivated to drink plenty of water, go for a walk, and watch the sunset over the ocean. For all of us, for each of us, it’s different. But it is so important for both your immediate and long term well-being.

What do you do to take care of You?

-Summer