7 Ways We Can Be Receptive To Self-Care

I’m writing this blog post in the early afternoon on a Saturday. I woke up early this morning to run some errands and while I was on my way back home I thought about this blog post and I randomly said to myself; “it’s interesting that the verbiage I would have created if I wrote this blog this morning, would be completely different compared to what I’m going to type right now.” That’s so interesting to me. Besides the title and premise (premise as in, what the blog will be about) of each my blog post, I never know what I’m going to actually say until I sit down and start typing. When I first started blogging I use to worry that if I waited until the last minute I would be putting myself at risk because what if nothing ever comes to mind? But I’ve become really comfortable with the process and I trust that even if I have no idea what I’m going to talk about, something will come. In fact, at this moment I don’t have a clear idea of what this week’s challenge will be based on the title, but I know something will come to me because it always does.

Being receptive. I chose the word “receptive” this week because it’s associated with receiving. When I hear the word receptive I think of opening up ourselves to the possibilities of things that are outside our control. Most, if not 100% of the time, self-care is something we have control over because we choose what it is we want to do. Self-care is not something that we let occur based on a lack of choice and it’s not a concept that we allow the universe to take control of. But as I was thinking about what I wanted to write about this week, the idea of allowing self-care to happen came to me. I like the idea behind it, and it puts a new spin around the concept of self-care. So for this week’s post, I decided to focus on relinquishing the control we have over self-care. In other words, don’t make plans, give yourself what it needs organically. And to my readers who are thinking “but isn’t giving us a list making plans?” You’re right to some extent. The list below is like a plan but it’s unique when compared to the list of ideas I normally present. This week I’m not suggesting a spa day, mediation, a workout, etc. Instead I am presenting a list of options that will hopefully create the space for you to be spontaneous with your self-care this week.

Sunday–ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU NEED maybe when you ask yourself this question you may fall right into your usual self-care routine and that’s completely fine. Sometimes your routine is what happens even when you allow things to happen organically. Also, today’s challenge will also be an opportunity for you to try something new and be spontaneous. Don’t plan just ask and see what happens.

Monday–WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY BETTER try this one first thing in the morning. Maybe today you’ll feel like taking the day off or maybe theres a tough decision you need to make and asking yourself this question may lead you to the right answer. Last week I was torn between doing what’s best for me and not putting all the responsibility on one person. Once I said out loud to a friend how I felt about the situation, I knew exactly what I needed to do.

Tuesday–DON’T SEEK, JUST LET IT HAPPEN go through the day with no self-care intentions and see what occurs. At the end of the day do a quick assessment and write down what happens. Here are some examples of what your self-care may look like.

• A friend may have invited you out for lunch or for manicures
• You took a nap
• You meditated
• You got to catch up on or binge watched one of your favorite shows
• Someone in the family took the kids for the day
• You spent time in your garden
• You had a venting session with a friend

All or some of these may occur today and that was your self-care. When creating this list your self-care may not be obvious but here’s a hint. Think about what you did today that made you feel good on the inside or what made you feel relaxed and that was your self-care moment.

Wednesday–ASK SOMEONE as mentioned earlier, being receptive is allowing things to happen. So asking someone is their doing and not yours. Who knows, maybe they’ll offer a suggestion you’ve never considered before.

Thursday–DO AN INTERNAL SELF CHECK-IN some of us bury what we feel. Instead of addressing whatever issues we are dealing with internally we sweep it under the rug and ignore it. Do a self check-in. How do you feel? And how can you address it? Maybe your intuition will let you know that it’s not quite time to address it yet, or maybe the universe will guide you in the right direction. Please keep in mind that today’s challenge may not apply to everyone but if it does, consider this a sign that it’s time to make some changes.

Friday–BE PRESENT and by this I mean pay attention to things around you and your environment. You may be asking yourself what this means and how it relates to self-care. Here are some examples, maybe you’ll hear or read an affirmation that really resonates with you, maybe you’ll get some really great advice, maybe you’ll hear or watch something that will make you laugh yourself silly, or maybe you’ll find the opportunity to get some extra time to yourself.

Saturday–RE-VISIT THESE IDEAS this last one was a little hard to come up with. I wasn’t sure how to close out the week of being receptive but today I encourage you to revisit the previous options and choose one that you really liked and re-do it. Maybe your choice will introduce a new form of self-care in your life.

Moving on to our Self-Care on the Go infographics; Self-Care on the go are essentially bite size versions of my self-care challenges. It’s open to anyone but it’s specifically created for moms and other working women; who may not have time to participate in all (or any) of the challenges that I provide weekly because of their mommy duties or busy work schedule. You can access the infographic HERE. I’ve been posting them every Sunday since the beginning of the year and I really enjoy creating them. If you’re one of my readers who participate in, or enjoy these options because you find them convenient, leave a comment and let me know what you like about them or what you think I should change. Thanks for going on this self-care journey again with me this week. 

By the way, if you’re interested, my Newsletter and Self-Care Accountability Worksheet is now available. The worksheet will act as a supplement to my daily self-care challenges. The purpose is to help you stay on track with your daily self-care routines. If you’re interested in receiving these items weekly, email me at tam33ks@yahoo.com. The self-care worksheet is FREE, but will only be available to my Newsletter subscribers. I will NOT spam you, I will only email once per week.

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