Self-care.. what does that mean? Well.. self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly!   Self-care is a necessity .. not an indulgence! Feeding our mind, body and soul! Gratitude and appreciation are big in my equation! Work hard, stay humble and take care of yourself! Are you taking care of yourself?

START realizing your own needs!
ELIMINATE things that pull you down!
LISTEN to your inner voice!
FIND peace in everyday life!
CONTEPLATE your life!
ASK for help.. if you need it!
REWARD your accomplishments!
ENCOURAGE others!

I came up with this acronym, using these action words.. to remember what SELF-CARE means!

Coffee, good conversation, time with loved ones, walking my doggies, meditation, nature, travel, reflecting and dreaming about my future.. and most recently.. a better skincare regimen- are all a must for me! Also, design of any kind- home decor, fashion, etc. .. assisting loved ones, cooking, staying organized, all while listening to good music. Some of the very things that make me happy can find me in burn out. I just have to practice giving and receiving/ebb and flow! I am good at giving! I feel lucky to have a life partner/husband, who gets me and looks out for me too! Taking time to do what we love is rewarding and we should want that for ourselves, just as we would for others!

I think it is safe to say, if you can find what you’re passionate about.. your threshold expands! I think it is a must to do all things with love for ourselves and others. Avoiding burnout is essential!

I am a highly sensitive person (hsp).. who considers myself very giving, I love helping others. Self-care looks different for everyone! Honestly, writing this blog is self-care for me!! It helps me to reflect, be a light and offer support to others.

Hard things present themselves and if we can find our core values and live by them, strive for greatness (looks different for everyone) and see the greatness in the current moments.. believing the best is yet to come! We shouldn’t be scared of change.. we should move and grow with it! We aren’t promised tomorrow.. no one said it was going to be easy. I know finding the best in every situation is worth it! What else can we do?! 

“And He (the Lord) said, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Ironic to be writing this as I am feeling rather depleted. We are in the throes of a kitchen and two bathroom renovations. We are nearing the home stretch. We pushed ourselves hard because of the upcoming holidays. I know that some much needed rest and relaxation is in store. We will get to do it all in the beautiful home we have renovated (mostly) on our own over the course of six years! I am talking every room, every nook and cranny, it feels good!

  I have realized that I must take care of myself in order to offer my best! If I get depleted I find myself snippy with the ones I love the most~ my family. I know they will forgive my bitchy self. I have decided they deserve the best version of me too.

In the last few years, I have put quite a bit of priority on mental health! Realizing that our mental health impacts everything. Mental health and physical health go hand in hand! I encourage you to share your challenges with a neutral party.. it’s crazy what hearing yourself tell someone can do. When you hear yourself say it, especially when you are sharing it for the first time.. you are most definitely going to be impacted. You will realize how good or bad or how you really want/need to change certain aspects!

Just today, before writing this blog post I was working on a dear friend/mentor’s hair and she shared some things she’s kept bottled up. I encouraged her to make the changes she needed to, to feel better. She said that coming in for her hair service and visiting is just what she needed! I joked that we call it hairapy. She is such a kind soul! She had me get us a lil’ pizza at the new pizzeria next door (on her dime). After her hair service she had me walk next door with her, to tell them how good the pizza was. She reminded me how good a compliment can feel!! What an amazing example of a human she is! She’s not scared to share her shortcomings and is a very giving person herself. I guess what I am getting at is~ to recognize the good.. Be the GOOD!

Remember to: Start, Eliminate, Listen, Find, Contemplate, Ask, Reward, .. Encourage!

I have discovered that there is a nice way to say even the hardest things. You don’t have to say “no” to your own needs to help others. If you are honest and kind in your approach, you can share where you’re coming from without hurting others. If you are called on and you aren’t sure you feel good about assisting. Simply tell the person the reason. “I am short on time”, “I need to ask my husband”, or even tell them “maybe”… So you have time to think about it. I have found myself telling the very truth.. that I am known to overextend myself and that if I could I would. I am getting better at caring enough to confront. We can’t suppress our own feelings because of the wear and tear it causes. We must be aware of our needs and give ourselves grace, just as we would others!

Stay Rosy, Amber

#HalfwayToAnywhwereWePutOurMindTo #Halfwaythere