Full article here

The current portrayal of self-care is backward — it’s characterized as an indulgence... Think expensive bath products, luxurious chocolates, spa appointments.

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Self-care is not an indulgence. Self-care is a discipline. It requires tough-mindedness, a deep and personal understanding of your priorities, and a respect for both yourself and the people you choose to spend your life with.

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It takes discipline to do the things that are good for us instead of what feels good in the moment.

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For example, self care is:

  • Turning off the TV instead of watching another episode of “The Crown” because the alarm is going off at 5am so you can get to the gym.

  • Declining the second drink at the office holiday party. It might even be declining the first drink.

It’s taking care of yourself in a way that doesn’t require you to “indulge” in order to restore balance. It’s making the commitment to stay healthy and balanced as a regular practice.

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Ironically when you truly care for yourself, exercising all the discipline that requires, you are actually in a much stronger place to give of yourself to those around you. You will be a happier parent, a more grateful spouse, a fully engaged colleague. Those who take care of themselves have the energy to take care of others joyfully because that caregiving doesn’t come at their own expense. And those who take care of themselves also have the energy to work with meaning and purpose toward a worthy goal.

I'm loving this article I came across. It's short and sweet but makes a very important point about the difference between true self-care and plain old indulgence.

By all means indulge every now and then, but let's just call it what it is rather than wrapping it up and renaming it in an attempt to feel good about it!

  • What does self care look like to you? How does it differ from straight up discipline or indulgence?

  • How do you maintain the discipline to care for yourself in a way that makes you and in turn your family feel stable and loved?

  • How do you feel when you fail to take care of yourself properly? What are the effects on your relationship and family?

  • Do you have any personal goals related to self-care and/or discipline?