I know so many people have mentioned how thankful we are to be back celebrating the holidays yet the stress, anxiety, anticipation, busy, distraction and expectations are overwhelming and already creeping in too.

Early on in my healing I learned about self care and I interpreted it as selfish. Once I experienced the value in taking time for myself in a healthy way I saw the overwhelming benefits.

Working with those that have experienced betrayal trauma, they also find self care difficult because usually their partner made some devastating choices that effected them and/or their families in the name of “self care.”

As a divorced and single mom I have learned that self care is crucial in my healing and daily regimen because it allows me to give back more truly who I am to those I love most. Self-care for me comes in different forms and here are just some of those examples:

*I love to go on hikes and get outdoors

*I love to meet up for breakfast or lunch

*I love to work out especially with friends

*I love to read good books

*I love to journal and recognize and reflect on the goodness in my life

*I love to find a way to connect with God every single day

*I love to set goals and follow through with them

*I love to make yummy food and treats

*I love to create, remember and follow through on holiday traditions

*I love to travel

*I love to try new things like recipes, restaurants and activities

*I love music, yoga, to dance and play tennis

*I love to cheer on my kids in whatever capacity they need

*I love to laugh and be deliberate in ways I can do this often

*I love to cuddle and watch a movie

These are just some of the many items from my growing list of things I do for self care.

What do you do for self care? Do you take time for just you every single day?

I encourage everyone as the holidays are approaching that we fill our buckets with healthy boundaries, self patience, self forgiveness, self love and self care to allow ourselves to focus on what is most important to us. For some it’s even adding more layers of mindfulness, meditation, sleep, exercise, deliberate eating so we can focus our time on those we cherish most.

#selfcare #selflove #boundaries #goals