Self-Care Is Not Selfish – Part 2

In the midst of disruption and uncertainty, this article offers gentle encouragement to embrace stillness, creativity, and community. It’s a powerful reminder that self-care is not selfish—it’s essential. By pausing to tend to your soul, reconnect with hobbies, nourish your mind, and reach out to others, you can find healing, peace, and purpose in the present moment. (Did you miss Part 1? Start here.)

The days seem to pass by with an unusual slowness, as we miss our daily routines. But perhaps this is the time to contemplate why we do all that seems to be so necessary. Many of us stay in our groove, and get comfortable, losing a zest for life little by little, as we rush and struggle. This brief slowdown in the spin, as inconvenient and scary as it may be, offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to examine our level of happiness and perhaps even dare to ask: “What makes us truly happy and fulfilled?”

I looked up the definition of mindfulness, a somewhat trendy word I associate with yoga. What it really means is:

“A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.”

Every one of us could use a good therapeutic technique. Calming my mind and intentionally focusing on the present moment is perhaps a little scary. I would much rather discuss the ‘present moment’ with my friends over a coffee. But I’m trying to find the point of acceptance during my afternoon rest time. It is sometimes hard to stop the negative cycle, but it is possible.

This brings me to another form of suitable therapy. Gardening. Somehow, running fresh soil through our fingers tends to calm the soul. I love watching my seeds grow into little plants. I do fuss over them, ensuring that each one gets adequate light, water, and love. My daughter isn’t into vegetables but loves her collection of succulents. May it be a pot on your balcony, raised garden or a cactus on your desk, tending to plants will bring a little fragment of the garden into your life.

How about all the scrapbooking supplies collecting dust for a decade or so? The yarn that looked so good at the craft store. The little project you never found time to complete. I’m not suggesting a full-on crafting weekend with a bunch of your friends, although that sounds very tempting just about now. Perhaps we could scale it down a notch and dedicate two afternoons a week to creating something beautiful. Give yourself permission to use your spare time to nourish your mind. If crafts are not your thing, what other hobbies did you have to set aside due to demands of life? Could you find 30 minutes a day to spend doing something you once loved? Give it a try. It will feed your soul.

Reach for the light. Literally and figuratively. Spend time in the sunlight, but also limit your exposure to negativity, scary movies, news, sadness, and anything that touches the dark side. When we experience an unprecedented psychological stress, we automatically reach out for help. Perhaps this is a time to dust off your Bible and think of greater things than yourself. Look around and understand that others are often going through the same things you are. How can you help? Simple acts of kindness will lift up your spirit. Offering a listening ear, sharing fun memories, dropping off a few grocery items at your neighbors, decorating the front of your house, positive social media engagement, or a simple call to a friend—these are points of light that we can share.

What helps me most is the understanding that I’m not alone. Sharing our true feelings makes us vulnerable, but being open about our ability, or the lack of, to cope with a situation allows others to safely express themselves. Check in with your family members on a regular basis, especially the youngsters. Teens often rely on their friends for support. Use adult language, express yourself calmly, and show them that you are a safe person to talk to.

One last thing. As tempting as it may be, stay away from excess alcohol. Finding solace in a bottle of any kind never led to anything good in the long run. There are plenty of non-destructive ways to deal with most situations. Look for the silver lining, and you may be surprised to find more than a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This too shall pass, and life will go on.

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