Has anyone talked to you about self-care?
Growing up in a smaller rural community in Mexico with traditional Latino values, no one talked about self-care. As a girl in a Mexican household, I was taught at an early age to take care of my family, work, clean, laundry, etc.
This role was expected to be fulfilled by our parents, grandparents, and extended family members. Growing up I constantly struggled between individual wants and needs, along with those of the entire family.
I remember how my mother prioritized our family at all times. She dedicated her life to the family and unconsciously forgot about herself. But how could she fit self-care into an already packed day?
It is much easier to become snappy and less understanding when interacting with others. It is no surprise that when we neglect our own self-care, it catches up with us. ​
Start small. Make sure you are not expecting something that isn’t going to be feasible in your day-to-day life. Identify the things that matter to you.
Choose one item that you think you could squeeze into your day and pay attention to how you feel after you take time to attend to yourself. Begin to live your best life today!
We find ourselves giving and caring for others all day long at work and at home. Constantly wondering “How can I possibly fit time for myself into my already full daily schedule?”You are not alone.
Many of us tend to prioritize our day-to-day duties in something similar to the following order: family, work, chores (cooking, shopping, laundry, etc.), and last but not least self-care. Self-care is often easily skipped if we run out of time.
What happens when we don’t find time for self-care in our daily schedule? I don’t know about you, but when I don’t prioritize self-care, I tend to show more signs of emotional distress.
Self-care is not selfish
Identify the things that matter to you