What is self-care and why is it so important for so many people, and yet so foreign for others?

If you ask two different people on what self-care is, you will most likely get two different answers. Self-care is all the things that gives you joy, happiness, calmness, refreshment and that makes you feel relaxed and restored.
For some this means binge watching netflix a few nights a week while eating icecream and spending time with either your bestfriend or your significant others. For others it means to dress up everyday, put on a face full of makeup everyday. It may be to get your nails done on a regular basis, get your hair done. It may be going to a spa once or twice a month to be pamperd.
It may also be spending alonetime at home with a bubblebath, some facemasks, shaving, hairwashing, candles, reading books, listening to podcasts or music.
Going for a walk in nature with and without music/podcast in the ears. Going all inn in the gym. Cooking food.

For me self-care is many of these things. I love reading, and as one of my smaller goals for this year is to read atleast one chapter in a book each day. I take a bath ones to twice a week, while listening to either sounds or podcasts with lit candles. I do facemasks once a week, I do skincare everyday, I dress up, put on some light makeup and go about my day.

I also go to the gym, I love speding time outside in nature (something I need to do more) and I really do enjoy spending time with friends and family just catching up on life.

In the end, self-care is taking care of yourself. Doing things that makes you feel good, nourished and refreshed. And the reason it seems so foreign for some people is probably because they live for others and not themselves. They are probably brought up to always take care of others before themselves. They are probably the ones who wears the exhausted mom badge with pride. They are likely the ones who look down on anyone who has it “better” than them.

For those who takes self-care seriously and do it on a regular basis knows how important it is to take care of oneself. The more they take care of themselves the more they can take care of others. Those who takes excellent care of themselves are often the ones who are calm, who stays calm in stressful situations and have a balanced mood.

What do you think? Is self-care on your prioritylist, if so, what do you consider self-care for yourself?

Love
Emilie Cathrin