There is no one-size-fits-all self-care.
The key is figuring out what’s workable and replenishing for YOU.
Most self-care advice (even in the published, peer-reviewed literature) focuses on specific activities: Mindfulness, exercise, sleep hygiene, connecting with friends, and on and on and on.
One of the most frequent questions I receive when giving talks on self-care is: What if I don’t like any of these activities? (Often framed more specifically: What if I don’t like baths?).
My response: That’s completely okay! Just like people are different, our self-care needs are different. Moreover, research doesn’t support the idea that any one activity has benefits over another regarding self-care.
The Two Critical Self-Care Qualities to Look For
So how do you decide what to actually do for your self-care? Figuring out activities is trial and error. What do you enjoy doing? What did you used to do that maybe you don’t anymore? Is there something you’ve always wanted to try?
There are two critical qualities of any activity to consider when trying them out for self-care:
- Do I find this activity replenishing? The activity should fill you up, not drain you. It should be restorative, not depleting.
- Is this workable in the context of my own life? You should choose self-care activities (preferably a whole menu of them) that work in the context of your life. Example? I live in a landlocked province, so it would be unworkable to choose “visit the ocean” for self-care.
That’s it! Beyond this: You’re the boss, applesauce!
What else has TMSC been up to?
It has been super busy behind the scenes. I’ve been planning the holiday boot-camp and, tweaking the VIP Intensive Self-Care Day and getting ready to launch a new version of Grad Students Against Burnout!
Winter invites for workshops are in full swing and I’m writing a book!
Stay tuned for all that good stuff to come!
