I remember when I took on practicing an act of exquisite self-care every day back in June. The idea of taking a stand to do something to really honor myself each day put a tremor in my heart then. I could barely conceive doing something solely for me every day and I did my best to maintain that it month. I did not quite make it through all those days and I did not track my experience here (to the chagrin of many who were anticipating the stories and victories after reading the challenge). My apologies to you all.
Since I challenged myself to finish things this month, I think it’s time to revisit June’s challenge and tell you a little bit about how it went. But before that, let’s lay out today’s challenge.
Today’s challenge: Practice an extraordinary act of self-care every day.
What this challenge entails is best expressed in what I wrote those months back:
What is exquisite self-care? What isn’t?
Exquisite self-care calls for me to put myself in front of friends, family, work, love at least once a day and do something that makes me happy, has my heart singing, making me my own beloved…every day. It involves doing the things I stopped doing for myself because they kept getting in the way of results. Exquisite self-care isn’t about shirking responsibility or foregoing promises. It is not being lazy and avoiding life and things. It isn’t easy. It is me finally going the distance to be my own hero and save the day for myself.
Here are some of the things I did and learned during my earlier foray into the world of exquisite self-care:
- Because I work from home, the boundaries between work and personal time blur and I made a greater effort to delineate the two
- I requested that my workday start at a particular time and no earlier
- I made sure my workday ended at a set time and did not spill into my personal time
- I made sure that I took care of all my needs before working: showering, eating, taking a moment to myself
- I made sure that the people that I work with were completely taken care of when I sent them out on sales calls. There was nothing they could desire. It was an honor to provide for them, exquisitely
- I realized that when I stood up for exquisite self-care for myself, I stood up for the same for others
- Exquisite self-care arises in the strangest places and I need varying levels of gentleness and drive to carry it out each day
- When people know what you stand for, taking care of yourself honorably and unequivocally, people give you space to make that happen and it is as if they are doing the same for themselves when they give you space
- An exquisitely-cared-for-me is a delight to be around
- An exquisitely-cared-for-me needs nothing from anyone–what a breath of fresh air!
Taking time just for me provides infinite benefits for me and others. Imagine if everyone in the world took a moment each day to do something delightful for themselves for no reason. Imagine what they would be able to do for others.
It is less daunting this time around as become expert in adding challenge after challenge. Also since I attempted this already, I know it works and enhances my life. It’s easier for me to commit to because these last few days of challenges have been a for of exquisite self-care in some way.
For the next 2 weeks, I will do something to honor and delight myself each and every day for no other reason than because I promised myself. As always, please join me.
Today’s victory: I let a friend who requested space just be. I didn’t make her wrong or condemn her to being denied my friendship when she reaches out again. I trust that our friendship will withstand this bump. Faith flows through me particularly in this situation–very different than I would have been in the past.
Gratitude: I am grateful for the wonderful men I have loved and what I have learned about life and myself from them. Each one has taught me what I want and need. Bless them!
On the horizon: That time thing
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