Self Care Emergency Kit

"Self care is so important.  When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow.  You cannot serve from an empty vessel."  Eleanor Brownn

Self care has become the catch phrase of 2019 - you can see it everywhere from marketing to social media to music.  It's the new "in" thing to do.  But, beyond that, it's what we NEED.

We live in a world that demands we be connected 24/7, on call, available, responsive all the time.  We are flooded with information that can at times be overwhelming and shocking to our system.  We struggle to have a few moments to process this load of information.

This is where self care comes in.

"Self care means giving yourself permission to pause."  Cecilia Tran

Pause.  That's right.  Self care is giving yourself a moment or 60+ to stop, breathe, process, and refocus.  Self care is taking care of YOU - helping you refill your cup.  But what does this include?

I grew up thinking self care meant a spa day or a lunch out with friends and it can surely still mean that, but it can be SO much more.  It's reading a lovely book while sitting outside in the sun or it's giving yourself a little foot massage and putting warm fuzzy socks on to watch your favorite show.  It's taking off your shoes and walking barefoot in the green grass or sipping your favorite tea slowly and mindfully.  It's taking yourself out to coffee and watching the people at the park or playing in your garden.

I recently heard someone mention a self care box or kit and I admit - it sounded intriguing.  What would I put in a box (shoe box, wooden box, basket) that when I felt overwhelmed and needed something to help me feel supported and cared for - would be perfect?!  So, here's what I did - 

I grabbed a shoe box and started walking around my house grabbing things that gave me a little pick me up.  A mud mask (my favorite smelling one), lavender body butter for a hand/foot massage, dark chocolate bar, Calm meditation book, colored pencils, small coloring books, letters/notes/cards from loved ones and friends, fuzzy socks, list of pick me up positive vibe movies and books (easy to pick something), a lavender eye pillow, a journal for art/writing, and my favorite destress essential oil rollon bottle.  It was amazing how fast everything piled in there and it is all in a box soon to be labeled in LARGE FRIENDLY letters - Self Love Kit.  

Now, whenever I feel overwhelmed, I can just reach for that box and pull out what I need immediately!  So, here's my challenge to you - find a box, label it and start putting in things that will support you in practicing more self care.  You can use this box ANY TIME you need it and as often as you need it - even rotating things in the box if you like.  Keep this box out in the open so you remember it is there just for you!  Give your self a little love!

"Our soul is like a soft and gentle flower, it needs to be nurtured, cared for, tended to, with sufficient sunlight, fresh air and freedom to bloom into its most precious and beautiful form.  This, my friend, is self-love."  Miya Yamanouchi

See you on the mat!
Aprille