SELF CARE IS NOT SELFISH

You've heard the phrase "self care" a million times. It's on your Instagram feed, in your X mentions, and even in your bathroom mirror as you brush your teeth every morning. The words are everywhere, but what do they actually mean? If you're like me (and honestly, who isn't?), you might have some questions about what self care means to different people and how it applies to our lives. To help answer these questions and demystify this buzzword, we've put together a list of ideas for what exactly self care is—and isn't:

Self care is not self-absorbed.

There's a misconception that self-care is selfish, but it's not. It's not about getting attention or being self-absorbed; it's about taking time for yourself so you can give more to others without burning out. When we're able to do this, we're better equipped to handle stressors in our lives and make decisions based on what will benefit us most in both the short and long term. Self care isn't just something you should do when things get stressful--it should become part of your normal routine throughout each day.

Self care is giving yourself room to breathe.

I think the most important thing to remember when it comes to self care is that it doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive.

Self care is something that can be as simple as sitting down and reading a book, or taking a long walk in nature--a time where you can just be with yourself and let your mind wander freely without being distracted by things like bills, chores and responsibilities. It means giving yourself room to breathe so that when you get back into the world again.

Self care can be as simple as a bubble bath or a warm blanket. Self-care can also be more complex--for example, it might mean taking time off work to go on vacation, or booking an appointment with your therapist. Self-care is whatever feels good to you! While taking care of yourself may seem like an indulgence at first glance (and for some people it is), in reality it's necessary for your health and well-being: if you don't take care of yourself first, how will anyone else?

Self care is about taking time to reflect on what your body needs, in all areas of life.

Self care is about taking time to reflect. It's a way to give yourself room to breathe, so you can continue being the best version of yourself.

It's not selfish or self-absorbed--it's about caring for yourself and making sure that when you're out there doing things for others, your own needs aren't forgotten or neglected.

You're allowed to feel like you've had too much of something or that you're too much of something, without being a bad person.

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to allow yourself to be honest with your feelings and emotions. Sometimes, we all need someone else to help us see that our boundaries have been crossed or that someone has been too much of something for us.

You're allowed to feel like you've had too much of something. You are allowed this feeling without having to justify it or explain yourself, because it's true--there is no other way around it!

It's okay if you need support from others - no matter how much independence and self reliance we try our best at maintaining sometimes it's just not possible without some extra assistance from others around us who love us dearly enough where they want nothing more than seeing us happy again so don't be afraid reaching out when needed because there will always be someone willing listen even if just being there helps relieve some stress off shoulders too."

Self-care is important because it helps us feel good in our own skin so we can be kinder towards others and make better choices in life overall--whether those choices involve taking time out for yourself or asking for help when needed (and yes, those two things are related).

So go ahead: take some time today for some self-love!

You don't have to do everything on this list and it may not be your favorite thing. But if you're feeling like something is off, maybe try it out? And if you still don't like it or feel better after trying it out for a week or so, throw that idea out there again! The most important thing is that you find what works best for you and your needs--because at the end of the day, only you know those things best.