Self-care is not just a new year’s resolution; it’s how we must go forward in 2021. This year, many of us look forward with hope for our world, yet we still face an uphill battle. Self-care should be viewed as a necessity for us to move to a better place.
Through self-care, we can find the resources to be well and carry on as we face the many stressors still in our lives. And when we take care of ourselves, we have the resources to support those we are responsible for. Most importantly, self-care helps us find the balance, clarity, and strength to be the powerful change agents so needed now. Self-care is a discipline that will see us through the work ahead of us, states Tami Forman, in her article in Forbes magazine.
Self-care Is Not An Indulgence. It’s A Discipline. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamiforman/2017/12/13/self-care-is-not-an-indulgence-its-a-discipline/?sh=4bd2d713fee0
Tami Forman, Forbes 2017
“Self-care is not an indulgence. Self-care is a discipline. It requires tough-mindedness, a deep and personal understanding of your priorities, and a respect for both yourself and the people you choose to spend your life with. Self-care is also a discipline because it’s not something you do once in a while when the world gets crazy. It’s what you do every day, every week, month in and month out. It’s taking care of yourself in a way that doesn’t require you to “indulge” in order to restore balance. It’s making the commitment to stay healthy and balanced as a regular practice. Ironically when you truly care for yourself, exercising all the discipline that requires, you are actually in a much stronger place to give of yourself to those around you. You will be a fully engaged colleague, and a more grateful partner, family member, and friend. Those who take care of themselves have the energy to take care of others joyfully because that caregiving doesn’t come at their own expense. And those who take care of themselves also have the energy to work with meaning and purpose toward a worthy goal. Which means they are also the people most likely to make the world a better place for all of us.”
Two self-care resources for 2021:
- Meditation and mindfulness: Here you'll find useful free downloads as well as links to external information about mindfulness and mental health. https://meditofoundation.org/resources?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqZ_k767-7QIVpzytBh2FvwApEAAYASACEgJrWfD_BwE
- Self-compassion: For many people anxiety and stress levels are high, and worse yet, at this time of social distancing we are needing to limit our time with others as much as possible when the need for human connection right now is strong. How do we take care of ourselves, each other, and our community during this time? Through self-compassion: the practice of mindfulness, self-kindness, an awareness of shared humanity.https://stopthehurt.org/practicing-self-compassion-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
For a list of other self-care options, please see our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, and COE students at:
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
May you find the self-care discipline that works for you in 2021. Happy New Year!
Warmly,
Shari