Something small. The question is what? What little bit of time can you carve out of your day and what would you do with that time? That is the question that needs a practical answer. So make a list. In your journal. Make a list of everything that you can think of from a trip around the world to 30 consecutive minutes with a good book or your journal.
Then whittle down the list to what works for you. Don't steal a minute here and there and think it's self-care. That's what my dad used to call "nickel and dime-in' it." Give yourself the whole danged dollar. And please! share your ideas in the comments. No idea too big or too small. Make a bunch of photocopies of your hand and glue them in your journal What message will you put there?
And I apologize for my slow response in replying to comments. Today is the day!
In other news and under the label "self-care," I made four cloth napkins using Moda's toweling by the yard which I tripped over here about four months ago whilst drooling over the Cosmo embroidery thread. The toweling fabric is soft and heavy. Hemmed on two sides, all you need do is cut it and hem the other two sides. The whole project took about 40 minutes. These would make dandy shower gifts, house-warming gifts or hostess gifts wrapped around your potluck entry.
More here and here (lots more!). I'll let you know about service when I place an order. And I will do that. My kitchen towels are a big disgrace and I'm disgruntled at the prices for the cr*p at stores. Getting crotchety, aren't I?
Ahem. Go make your list and I will too.
PS - this is posted in Taming the Critic. It is the critic we are addressing when we ignore ourselves and nurture all those around us. IMHO, natch.
I'm with you on the dishtowels - sheesh. I didn't have them under self care, but they do impinge on my happiness. So they are on the list along with replenishing the bath towels. Which means the 12 year old towels can be cut down to replenish my rag supply in the studio! HOORAY!
Today I am going to put frames on my new Thermofax screens!
Posted by: Lori W | 02/23/2013 at 11:05 AM
I've really enjoyed the posts and comments over the past few days.
Like most women I took on burnt-chop syndrome, learning at my mother's knee. Anything slightly charred, mis-shapen or slightly broken went on her plate . . . and then mine.
It was when I was single parenting that I soon learned that if I didn't look after my Self I couldn't look after my kids . . . no-one else was going to look after me and I began to enjoy the result of doing so. Now, I can choose to put aside aspects of self care for short periods of time when necessary, times such as looking after children, caring for a sick friend, going that extra mile for something or someone.
Self care is a matter of self respect . . . you have to question why someone else should care about you if you don't care about yourself.
I seem to have a lot to say about this . . . maybe I can post something and link it back here. :)
Posted by: Wendy @ the Late Start Studio | 02/23/2013 at 05:11 PM
Oh self care, yes I am getting into this prompt. Yesterday, I needed something jazzy in my life so I got extreme bangs, something a little edgy. I gave myself a manicure and I lined up a play date for this Saturday to go to Philadelphia Flower Show & Reading Terminal, YEAH!!!! Today, I am winging it but I will spend a little time in between domestic duties working on my smash book and reading. I am not terribly exciting, but atleast it is a start. Thank you Diana for the prompt.
Julia/NE Philly
Posted by: Julia Dinter | 02/26/2013 at 07:39 AM
Yeah, It is very funny sometimes what we put on the self-care list. Changing the bed linens is pretty high on mine. Also cleaning up my studio. Thermofax screens ... have fun with that :)
Posted by: Diana Trout | 02/28/2013 at 10:10 PM
It is REALLY difficult to take care of yourself when you are working and caring for kids. It becomes a habit of self-neglect. Thats been my life for the past 26 years - and Ive had a husband! Cant imagine going it alone, Wendy. Im changing things up a big over the past year. Ill check over on your blog and see whats happening. xo
Posted by: Diana Trout | 02/28/2013 at 10:18 PM
The Flower Show is a great place to go. It smells SO good. Im with you on the self-manicure.. That is the best big o self-care. I should post a how-to on THAT :) Enjoy yourself, Julia. We should try to meet up some time
Posted by: Diana Trout | 02/28/2013 at 10:23 PM