Doing a daily check in with yourself is a great way to self-care. I’ve started a new practice, along with my regular journal writing, I’m also journaling these questions – how am I feeling and what do I need right now? These questions center and ground me to my own being. They bring my focus onto myself and I’m most likely to embrace myself and give myself what I need throughout the day. It keeps me from getting drained and depleted. On days when I forget to ask the question, I don’t feel as nourished.
I love this new practice, I love asking the questions in my journal, and so I wanted to share it with you. It’s really making a difference throughout the day for me. My self-care practice has changed over time and I have to laugh because when I first started, I felt guilty and afraid, it was almost like a taboo thing to do. I wasn’t brought up to think of me or do anything for myself, I looked at it as being a very needy and selfish thing and how dare I.
What I know now is that when you take care of yourself, you’re empowering yourself and functioning at your highest best. Your energy extends out of you, so when you’re feeling good, you’re extending that good energy out into the universe, and all those around you benefit.
How am I feeling? What do I need right now?
You don’t have to write in a journal, you can just ask yourself the questions and pay attention to what comes up for you. Every day your needs may be different, today you may need a little emotional self-care. On another day it may be mental, physical or spiritual self-care. What you do doesn’t have to be anything big, reading a passage or two from your favorite book or, if you’re working, eating lunch by yourself, may be just the little pampering you need.
Taking time for your own self-care strengthens your relationship with yourself, it empowers you to live at your highest best. You’ll feel more balanced, less stressed. It can also have a positive effect on your long term health, and you’ll most likely be able to better care for those you love. These are just a few of the benefits of being mindful of yourself.
I’ve decided to commit to my new practice for the month of July. Come and play along with me, commit to yourself and take the necessary steps to bring yourself to greater health by putting your needs first and nourishing your mind body and spirit.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Buddha
Let me know what you think, I’d love to know.
Happy July + lots of blessings
COPYRIGHT MASHA G. ELLMAN 2021
In My Everyday Life 
I can’t think of one reason why I wouldn’t do this? I can’t tell you how much I was blown away by your simple suggestion to thank yourself for stuff. It was simply revolutionary. And I am very much paying a lot of attention to spoiling myself these days. Making up for all that going without I did for so long.
Thank you for your positive and lovely words of support. They make me happy to read.
Love,
Shalagh
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Thank you Shalagh, I’d love to take credit for that revolutionary suggestion, but it’s not mine, i don’t remember where i got it from but thank you Snoop Dogg for the reminder. So happy to know that you’re now paying attention and spoiling yourself, it’s so important for your wellbeing, it took me also a lot of years to wake up to myself. Thank you for your kind words. xoxo
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This is such great advice! I think that’s why journaling was hard to start for me. I’ve always felt guilty putting myself first. I was raised to always think of others first. But I realized if I don’t take care of myself then I can’t take care of anyone else. Great post! ❤️
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I think theres a lot of us in the same boat, but for me changing that false notion has made a huge change in my life. Thank you MIchelle xoxo
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