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I have spent the last few days doing self care then setting up systems where I can continue that self care
However I note that many of my friends like me have neglected big portions of self care
One of my friends for example went to Las Vegas for New Years. Quite apart from the fact that no one is supposed to travel, (Las Vegas was packed so lots of people chose to ignore that.) he has major health and dental issues he is not attending to
I have already had to come to terms with that some people do not take care of themselves. I was one of them
Now I am moving to another place I can see how off putting it is to others.
Moreover I have to look at I am not going to get support from people who do not take care of themselves
As you all know I hate the term #enable#
However the issue is that I felt comfortable around people who were not taking care of themselves. No body told ne not to. They just did not question why I didn't. No one #made# or #,helped,# me not take care of myself. Enable is too strong a term. No one questioned it either.
I am not questioning my friend. I am beyond that. Far far far neyond that. If he wants to spend thousands in Las vegas it is his choice. A choice he made at the expense of his health. Another friend of mine got a DUI this year huge financial issues involved in that. Addiction has huge financial consequences.
Focusing on myself is indeed freeing. However when you focus on yourself it can be a lonely prospect
Maresie
-- Edited by Maresie888 on Saturday 9th of January 2021 10:46:33 AM
Self care, for me personally, is doing things that I enjoy doing. It's pampering myself, resting if I want to or need to, not cooking a big meal if I don't feel like doing it, etc. It's soaking in the tub, watching TV in bed. It's taking the time to style my hair even if I am staying home just because it's makes me feel better.
I intend on doing more self care in this new year. This morning I did 3 guided meditations just because I wanted to. I didn't worry about what else I "should" or "could" be doing or how long it would take. I absolutely love Deepak Chopra, for some reason his voice is soothing to me and i am going to make time to be soothed in that way as much as possible.
Yesterday I finally opened up my Fitbit and started walking for exercise again. I wanna shed those few extra stay-at-home pounds I have gained this year. The funny thing is when I was reading the instructions AH asked "who you trying to look hot for"? My reply was "myself". I'm not sure he believed me but it's the truth, I wanna look good for me ,not anyone else.
Self care for me is taking time to tend to my mental, physical and spiritual needs. Whatever they may be. And I need more of that.
Self-care was a struggle for me most of my life, in so many ways. And to make the changes to treat myself physically and emotionally with TLC was painstakingly difficult. I have found it comes most easily now, after being in program about 8 yrs. I want to treat myself with respect. I had to learn this. I want to be kind to myself. I have learned I deserve this. I want to have compassion for myself. I used to just have it for others. If we were not taught these things while growing up, these are really hard behavior and attitude adjustments. But once I started practicing non abuse to me, its become second nature. If I can do it, others can too. Its a choice we can make. It enables me to feel free and I used to feel like I was in prison. Amen.
Great topic as we are into a new year. I also have daily routines that really keep me grounded and much more present. In spite of going nowhere, I do take care each morning to shower and dress vs. hang in my jammies most of the day. I must confess that my 'getting dressed' is not much more than my jammies and that's OK - as I age, I am about comfort.
I do work out each day and always in the morning. As a creature of habit, affected by this disease and easily distracted, I do it first thing so it's done, no matter how the day unfolds. I am very structured in my eating simply because it affects my health. I have spent more years that I care to admit finding comfort in food and am grateful to have made many changes in this area. My motto is that I eat to live instead of living to eat!!
Self-care for has expanded as I'm aged & as I've grown in life and recovery. I know now (and didn't know before) that whenever I begin to focus on others or negative aspects of my life that I am cheating myself out of the experiences of the here and now. I am a much more spiritual person, grounded in reality when I can stay with my head over my heart and feet. When I struggle to do this, I try to still be gentle with me as I really need to act as if I am my own best friend, through good and bad, and in God's time, I am restored again to both serenity and sanity.
I'm grateful that I am better at putting me first in my actions, thoughts and deeds. It is healthier and as I get saner and more healthy, I do seem to attract healthier friends for my circle. I have always liked the analogy of putting my oxygen on first in the plane before helping those around me. It makes sense to me and helps me understand that I am best able to be of service when I am in good 'shape' - emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically. It does work when we work it!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Thank you for the timely topic. I think what I am lacking most of all in my self care routine is sleep. Lovely, no later than 9pm sleep. I'm stuck in this bad habit if being so thrilled to be alone when the kids are asleep that I stay awake way too late reading and listening to podcasts trying to cram it all in. I probably should start saving also for monthly staycations so I get that break and have respite to look forward to. Time alone and sleep are two elements of self care I'm bringing in this year.
How did you find out about Complex PTSD? I'm not going to go turn myself in at this time, and I don't know if there is even any help here in Far Podunk. But can you recommend videos or books?
I think CPTSD may be me. I've been so inspired by a series of books I'm reading, and it feels like one step forward and one back, often, and I still feel gripped by fear from time to time.
I so enjoy the shares from both of you. Am amazed by the progress I see.
I think everyone on this board has been a Blessing to me in one way or another, and I am so grateful.
Hugs!
Temple
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It's easy to be graceful until someone steals your cornbread. --Gray Charles
