Self-Care
There's a truth that has reshaped my life as I navigate anxiety and ADHD, and it's not what you might think:
Sometimes self-care isn't about indulgence or relaxation. Sometimes, it's about tackling the hard, mundane, everyday things that slip through the cracks.
You know the signs, the basics that start to waver. The dishes pile up, laundry overflows, showers become less frequent. Days stretch between haircuts, shaving, or brushing your teeth.
For those of us who know this struggle, self-care isn't a spa day or a picturesque morning routine. It's a battle. It's the work that tires you out before your day even begins.
It sneaks up on you, whispering, “I don’t feel like taking care of myself today.”
But that whisper? That's the signal. That's when you need to stand up and do it.
Why? Because it's you. It's taking care of yourself, no matter how you feel.
Just as you walk your dog when you're worn out, just as you support your family when they need you – even if you're spent – why wouldn't you do that for yourself?
That’s the shift that alters everything.
I’m not making breakfast merely because I'm hungry; I'm nourishing my body, giving it the fuel it needs.
I’m not sleeping solely because I'm weary, or it's easy to shut down my racing thoughts, but because I know rest is vital for me to thrive.
Laundry, dishes, grooming – it's not about wanting to do them, it's about recognizing they need to be done.
So, the next time those signs appear, remember, it's not about indulging in self-care, it's about rising to the challenge of taking care of yourself.
Because you're worth it, every single day."