I have previously shared a bit around how I burnt out earlier this year and how breaking my foot was my biggest wake up call to that.
I now want to share with you how I got to that point and what was missing from my self-care practice.
As someone who teaches about the importance of self-care, surely, I should have all this stuff down pat, right?
Not exactly.
We often teach the things that we need to learn the most.
There were many ways that I was caring for myself.
Meditation
Yoga
Nutrition
Kinesiology
Reiki
Journaling
And the list could go on and on.
So, what was really behind my burnout and what was it that I was lacking the most?
I had conscious awareness. I knew what limiting beliefs were holding me back.
The awareness was there BUT the ACTION wasn’t.
What was lacking in my self-care practice???
1. Boundaries –
I hate / hated disappointing others so I would go out of my way to serve them which meant a disservice to myself.
2. I wasn’t speaking my truth –
I would say yes when I really meant no. I would swallow my words as I cared too much about what other people thought of me.
3. I was a people pleaser –
I love helping people and I love making other people happy. In order to keep the peace, I would prioritise everyone else’s needs over my own.
You may see the link between all three of these. I know I did. One problem feed the other problem until it all became too hard and I felt I couldn’t change.
Breaking my foot and burning out taught me that I have no other choice than to take ACTION and be courageous.
The last 5 months I have overhauled my life. These outdated beliefs still pop up but so much has shifted. My life is almost unrecognisable from the beginning of the year.
I share all of this with you today as I know so many of you are in a similar position.
Self-care is so much deeper than taking a few hours for yourself and running a hot bath.
To truly take care of ourselves and love ourselves unconditionally, we need to be 100% self-responsible and honest with ourselves.
You can’t run away from your outdated beliefs.
You need to work through them.
You need to take ACTION.
Self-awareness is vital but it is only one step of the equation.
What is self-awareness if we chose not to take action???
What are the limiting beliefs that are holding you back???
“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to
love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others”.
Brene` Brown
Love