Self-care is vital for any personal developmental therapy and work you are doing on yourself; it’s an integral part of healing and conscientious living. Previous conditioning and limiting self beliefs may inform you that self-care is selfish or not necessary, that to take time for yourself to rest, nourish and nurture yourself is not appropriate for a number of reasons. Linked from a societal level of expectations and programming that ‘busy is good’ and to be constantly in ‘doing mode’ distracted from our internal landscapes leaves not much room for a break or recuperation in most modern day lifestyles. Observing and overcoming these beliefs are an initial part of self-care; learning to accept, allow and give ourselves permission to disconnect from external sources that demand our attention, such as family, work, friends, social commitments, is part of the practice and process. It may feel awkward and you may notice resistance and pulls from others around you as you initiate the process but these growing pains require evening out. Free of judgement, fear of disapproval or rejection, letting others down, not being good enough; these beliefs can be superseded and rewritten. The rewards from integrating self-care with gentleness, discipline and persistence enhances empowerment and restores balance within, reflecting outwardly into your life.
Self-care can involve a mindful based activity that brings joy and nourishment. Choosing time to dedicate to yourself away from routine and commitments allows you to receive and honour your own rhythm and process. Whether it’s a whole day, half a day, at least an evening or morning, ensures sufficient time to relax and enjoy whatever activity you choose to do.
In support of self-care, beginning a dedication to do one small thing for yourself each day is a commitment to gift yourself boosting self trust and esteem. The activity can take less than 10 minutes of your day, however this practice will lay the foundations of a committed, dedicated relationship with yourself.
Self-care considerations:
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- Taking a flower bath
- Walk in Nature
- Dancing
- Playing an instrument or singing
- Any physical exercise (walk, tai-chi, yoga, sports, martial arts, cycling, swimming)
- Making a nourishing meal for yourself
- Drinking cocoa, a fresh juice or favourite herbal tea
- 10 minute meditation
- Taking a nap
- Journaling
As a conscientious lifestyle emerges through awareness, growth and integration, learning to manage your environment will likely become an increasingly important factor in maintaining harmony and balance. Considerations around what you remove from your environment, such as distractions, habits that no longer serve you and even company you choose to keep. Every interaction with the outside world, physically, emotionally and energetically contributes to our day to day human experience. As well as removing elements that are not serving, considering adjustment to what’s present in our environment and additional supportive tools to provide the support required. This can take some time to come through, but clarity prevails, honouring intuition and being open to receive.
Conscientious lifestyle considerations:
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- Foods (energy sources)
- Investigating the origins and production of foods, personal and household products
- Considering ecosystemic energy flow and managing feedback
- Inviting core principles of ceremonial work into immediate relationships (compassion, acceptance, unconditional love, simplicity, patience)
- Sourcing environments that provide sensory connection to nature
These considerations invite an exploration on a inter-personal, individual and collective level. With understanding and appreciation that one can do one’s best with circumstance, access and availability of resources, and holds ultimate power and influence within one’s own boundaries, sphere and actions. Discovering and inviting, with purpose and intent, elements into your life that support one’s authentic self is a journey to embrace and allow wisdom to choose what fits best, knowing it can be altered, reshaped, in flow at any given moment.
There are various integration techniques and guidance available which we invite you to consider.
Below we have detailed two important tools that provide support in both preparation and post integration when working with plant diets. The first tool is a daily meditative & introspective practice and the second a personal developmental therapy for further inner integration work.