I am a huge advocate of self-care. To me, self-care is about understanding yourself: how your mind works, how to make your body function at its best, what keeps you in good spirits, being aware of when your self-care needs amping up, and how to do that when you need to. It’s about making sure that you prioritise yourself and your well-being. Most importantly, self-care is not a selfish act but is in fact, a responsible act.
As this is a Wordless Wednesday post I won’t go into detail on what I believe self-care is or isn’t. I’ll save that for a future post! Meanwhile, I do love a good quote so can’t help indulging myself by sharing two today. I believe so much can be conveyed and learnt by them. In addition to the quote used on today’s image:
Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.
~ Parker Palmer
I’d like to also share the following quote:
Rest and self-care are so important … you cannot serve from an empty vessel.
~ Eleanor Brown
Recently, I’ve been sick and feeling run down. My vessel needs re-filling and some attention, so I’m taking a little break from blogging (a week or two – I’ll play it by ear!). I know myself and at the moment I need to lighten the expectations I place on myself and take some time to recalibrate. As much as I love writing and blogging, for a little while at least – I need less time sitting at a computer typing and editing and more time outdoors. Nature is my healer. I need to get back into my walking. If I wait until my feet are pain free it could take forever and we all know the saying ‘use it or lose it’! I need to get out and about with my camera more and hopefully reignite my passion for photography (I’ve barely touched my camera lately). I need to get some chores done that have been bugging me – like tidying up my linen cupboard, and shopping for material to cover some cushions, and lots more! I need to get myself into a routine that provides me with a more healthy balance than currently is the case.
By doing all the above I will return to my blog with my vessel filled-up, a better routine sorted for myself, and with plenty of stories to share. Till I return, take care of yourselves!
Ciao for now,
[Note: The image used for today’s post was taken at Byron Bay. To see the image at actual size, 1) click on the image and a smaller version appears, 2) click on smaller version and the actual sized image appears. Click the back arrow on your browser to return.]
This post is linked up with My Little Drummer Boys for #WordlessWednesday
30 Comments
I love that photo. Hope you are feeling better soon. I’ve also been having time out while I digest my latest health issues. I’m slowly returning to the online but really evaluating how and who I spend my time with.
Please touch base when you are back.
Thinking of you
Raych
Thanks Raychael – I’m pretty fond of that photo too! I’ve been having a few health issues too so I can sympathize with you. I hope you’re ok! Message me via FB or my blog email min@writeofthemiddle.com anytime if you want to chat! Take care of you! I won’t be able to stay away too long but I know this break is much needed. 🙂 xo
What a stunning photo! Self care is crucial. Mums do so much. It’s give, give, give and usually not a lot to ourselves. Have a great break. Recharge and head on back when you’re filled up again xx
Thank you Vicki! Totally agree that self care is crucial. Also knowing when it’s needed and how provide self-care to yourself that best serves you! I’ll be back when I’m filled up again. That is for sure! 😉 xo
Great photo – what a lovely spot!
Enjoy your rest take the tie and just ‘Be”
Thanks Patrick – will do! 🙂
Thanks Alison! 🙂
I hope you feel refreshed. I have two loads of laundry needing folding from two days ago, and a load from a couple hours ago to go on the line. AHHHH. All this stuff is overwhelming when you have a blog to write as well. Thanks for the self-care reminder (*steps away from computer)! :0)
LOL – yep – there are so many demands on us from all different directions and as much as I love blogging – it can be time consuming and draining (when you add in all the social media, reading and commenting etc). BUT – I love it all!! I just need to step away for a bit and recharge 🙂 xo
You’re absolutely right. I have a good friend that is not taking very good care of herself at the moment and letting stress take over. It’s terrible to see the damage it’s doing.
Oh Robyn – I hope your friend takes steps to help herself. Stress can have terrible affects on us if it goes on for too long (chronic stress) – in so many ways that people don’t realise! xo
Oh Min, that’s such a good idea…and a lovely post. I am sorry you’ve had this time of ‘needing to care for yourself more’ pop up…as it does. I so understand. Taking time to re-group, sit with feelings, visit places you love and have a break sounds like a plan. Thank you for commenting as you have from time to time on my blog. I appreciate that!! I’ve just come out of a terrible ‘funk’ mixed with anxiety which I have put down to moving house/place and leaving family and it appears that I can also help myself with some better self-care and less listening to my inner critic! Best wishes. Denyse
Denyse, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been in a bit of a ‘funk’ but I can understand how that happens completely and of course the circumstances you outlined would have probably contributed! I’m glad to hear though that you’re coming out of that funk now! I’ve made no secret of the fact that anxiety plays a part in my life, so I know how awful it can be. I also have my own pesky inner self-critic but I’m getting better at telling him to buggar off – some times more successfully than other times though! I’m getting to know myself better now and I know that this time out is overdue and absolutely necessary. Give yourself loads of self-care. You deserve it! xo
Gorgeous sand art!
Glad you’re taking some self care Min. You deserve it.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
The sand art is so beautiful isn’t it! I would have loved to see whoever did it in action! The self care time out for me is much needed. When I can’t relax or slow my mind enough to read a book, I know things are not right! 😉 xo
“Most importantly, self-care is not a selfish act but is in fact, a responsible act.” Can I quote you on that? Great words. Be kind to yourself 🙂 Xx
Hi Sandra – thank you and yes you can quote me on that! I know that the bigger bloggers might frown upon taking time off from the blog. They would schedule guest posts and organise a way to fill the gap … and that’s fine but for me to do that, it would require energy and time to organise and would defeat the purpose of my ‘self care’ break. My blog is very much about health, wellbeing and getting the balance right. So, I feel a responsibility to practice what I preach. The internet and social media is awesome but it can consume you and be so draining. I think everyone could do with a good break from it now and then. I will be taking time away from the blog again in late April and early May when we travel to Tasmania also. I’ll still be active on Instagram though (when I can get a connection!). 😉 xo
I feel the same way kind of but I have so many posts scheduled in the next few weeks that haven’t been written yet and they have to be done.
Who says they have to be done Toni? You and you only I bet. I’m exactly the same but I’m learning to tune in to myself alot better these days and alarm bells were ringing and I knew it was time to down tools and step back for a bit. Look out for those alarm bells! 😉 xo
Take care of yourself Min and enjoy some break time!!
I love the photo too!!
I will and thank you Ann! 🙂 xo
I love the self care quotes.
The image is stunning.
Thanks for linking up to WW.
Thanks Trish! 🙂
What brilliant quotes! And so true!
I hope you are feeling better and re-energised in a couple of weeks time! Take care.
Thanks Ingrid 🙂 x
Hope you are having a nice refresh – I just popped in wondering where you were. X
Thanks Kathy – the break was much needed but not quite enough or refreshing. I think the trip to Tassie will do the trick. I need to escape my four walls 😉 x
Self care is the be all and end all. Rest up and take care gorgeous girl xx
Thanks Sonia! 🙂 xo