“It is only when we feel deprived that we resent giving to others. Self-care does not mean you stop caring about others; it just means you start caring more about you. Start thinking about yourself more and others less. Since you have a choice between taking care of someone else, or giving to yourself, try choosing yourself sometimes.” ~Beverly Engel, The Right to Innocence
The world is giving us lots of imput, and constantly things are coming at us, all while we are being faced with choices. There are times I feel my mind slipping, getting caught up in these things that are really unimportant and of no consequence. Control of my depression and anxiety will start to fail. Then I begin to feel that I am no good to anyone and a fog settles into my mind. I’m in the fast lane but I’m about to cause an accident because my vehicle’s ‘check engine’ light is on.
More and more I realize how important it is for me to take time to pause. I need to renew self so that I can get through life as a mom, wife and person. I have to make this time a necessity and not just a luxury. Call it a mental health day or call it ‘me’ time, but it is what keeps me sane.
What types of activities do I do with this time? Well, everyone’s idea of what is enjoyable differs. But, some activities, no mater the person, can be quite theraputic. I have found art, journaling, meditation and yoga are useful for everyone. There is much scientific research that backs this up. I can attest that these are all amazing ways to bring my mind back into focus, clarity and at peace.
As for other options I choose to do with my free time– I enjoy hanging out at Starbucks or walking around my favorite store, going to the library, strolling on the beach and doing photography. These pastimes are inexpensive or free, but do so much to help me feel refreshed and get my motor running properly. So, I hope that you will be sure to take moments to relax and renew yourself too, remembering to slow down once in a while before you crash and burn.
Southern By Design 
As soon as I read teh opening of your prompt, my mind heard the song! There are so many times we are racing for a destination and we miss the most important parts of the trip!
Yes & Exactly!! Thanks for reading 🙂
Nicely stated. Time for the self is so valuable.
Thank you 🙂
Waouh, j’adore ma petite Mac, vraiment
Bonne semaine à toi
Bisous, Tony
Merci mon ami! Bisous, Mac
Great post, I don’t work on Mondays and use that as my ‘mental health’ day. I am often tempted to go back to work on Mondays, but I love having a day to myself. My depression and anxiety has also been high this year, am hoping it will start to improve. Blessing to you x
Thank you! And to you as well ❤️
Very nice and the world is sure give us lots of input and it’s us to receive, process and make use rightly.
Very true. Thank you!
Yes! Taking time out for yourself is always such a good thing, honestly at the moment I’m still young and therefore I haven’t left home… Yet. But even so, I’m alone so often that it feels like severe loneliness at times. And my way of compensating this need for having long-lasting and fulfilling relationships is to use Social Media. I know, it’s terrible.
Now that I’m writing this, maybe I might just have to work on that…
Thanks Mac!
– A.J. BAWSE, Xx
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Excellent content
Thank you
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Very true. There seems to be an innate fear that self love will be perceived as selfishness. Not true at all. If you cannot love and respect yourself, then no one will do the same for you. It is so important to practice self care, for our health, our mind and heart. Thank you for the enlightening post.
Thanks for a great comment, I agree! And yw 😊
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