Today I feel unsure of what I want or what I need. I have this sense of being somehow slightly off-center.
Plus, I have an even longer than normal list of things asking to be accomplished today. Things that are going to go a lot faster and easier if I feel fully present, embodied, and grounded. To get there, some self-care appears to be in order.
And yet, as I run a list of possible self-care activities through my mind, nothing lights up.
Everything seems equally non-helpful… or perhaps even depleting.
This isn’t necessarily a new thing. In fact, I’m constantly on the look-out for new things that feel nourishing and supportive in large part because what works in one moment for me, often doesn’t in the next.
Further, there are also often times when I fully believe the thought that the very act of ‘doing self-care’ somehow requires more energy than what I will receive in return.
For instance, I know that I feel really relaxed and nourished during and after receiving acupuncture. However, the energy and time that is required to get to my favorite community acupuncture center often seems overwhelming. I am easily able to convince myself that just relaxing at home will actually be a better use of my time and energy.
In some moments, this is true for me. Just being home, doing nothing, is one of my highest and most preferred forms of self-care.
In other moments, it is simply as excuse and one of the ways that I sabotage myself from receiving deep nourishment and care.
So, back to today, to this moment. Now.
What do I need?
Sinking into my body, I become aware of a shakiness that I hadn’t felt before. A shakiness and a feeling of emptiness in my belly. No, I haven’t eaten yet today and it is nearly 10:30. My blood sugar is definitely low.
Hmmm… no wonder none of my ‘softer’ self-care skills feel right!
I haven’t met the most basic of self-care requirements yet today. Food.
Now I could take some time to judge myself for once again neglecting something so basic.
Or, I could just get up, cook breakfast, and then return to my List of Things I Want to Accomplish Today.
I’m guessing this simple act of basic self-care will allow me to shift that sense of being ‘slightly-off-centered’. And, if not, I’ll be in a much better place to truly notice what the next necessary step is to help me get there.
For you:
As we begin a new week, what do you need to feel nourished, supported, fully grounded and embodied? What will make all of your tasks flow with more ease and efficiency?
Stopping by to let you know that your question is ringing in my brain…but there’s no answer yet. Everyone in my head wants you to know we stopped by, and we’re listening, but the question is too large to discuss here.
Love you so much,
Casey
Perfect. Thank you for letting me know you are here! xoxo
I think my “basic needs” thing I neglect is order/organization. I always feel better when I tackle *something* in my house and make it look better. I often don’t because I get overwhelmed by all the possible things in that category I could be tackling. But if I just remember that I actually feel good by doing it, then it wouldn’t really matter. I could look at it as something I enjoy rather than a chore. Because I do usually enjoy it, at least in the sense of getting as much energy out of it as I put in. Actually–now I just realized what it is. I get the energy out if it’s not just “maintenance”, if I actually put a dent in something, improve a process, make a system so the thing doesn’t get messy again. I have a big need for progress, and maintenance without redesigning systems feels like perpetually fighting entropy. That’s a horrible feeling. So maybe the question I should ask is: “What could I improve in this room” rather than “What needs to be cleaned up”. Then I would enjoy it more. Trying that now…
Order/organization is HUGE for me too! And, it is something that I often don’t think of as a basic need… I love your new question. I might give it a try as well. 🙂