WRITING PROMPT

Taking the Time

Self-care is not selfish

When I practice self-care I usually write.

Writing fills a void for me, and I wouldn’t know what else to do with the stuff that comes into my head nor the images that flood my mind. They need a place to live, a home, so I fill pages with them hoping that I’ll never run out of words.

Watching movies and television is also self-care for me; it empties my head for a while, putting me in relax mode. Working outdoors in the dirt, the breeze on my face, adds to self-care for me. I have a couple of hobbies too like crocheting and reading. Reading is adventurous and calming for me while crocheting fills the void of helping others as I often donate what I make and make gifts for those I care about.

These are my mainstays for self-care besides doing my own hand and foot manicures and coloring my own hair. (Yes, have to send those white strands away!)

I believe Galit Birk, PhD questioned what we might do if we weren’t always doing for others, and began focusing on our own selves too.

I’d probably fly to the moon on a starry night in a rocket if possible! But realistically, I’d travel more, visit museums, sleep more, spend more time outdoors, and explore new towns, but most importantly, I’d get more writing done, writing as many books as I can.

Are there times when we should say no because we need time to do something for ourselves or just to give ourselves some quiet time? Of course!

Personally, this is something I need to work on.

I come from a family of ten children so family has always been very important for me, and it has always come first! There was always something going on or someone to check in on, or help, or stay in touch with.

Family is like bread to Italians; it’s sustenance and life-giving.

When an Italian child comes out of the womb, it’s handed a piece of bread, and someone says Mangia. It’s very ritualistic and a riot being born Italian- American. Basically, self-care goes out the window. It’s something you have to learn.

I loved Galit’s piece on Solo Travel My Love Affair With (Solo)Travel. Quenching my desire to feel alive | by Galit Birk, PhD | World Traveler’s Blog | Medium. It’s uplifting and made me want to renew the courage I had way back also going to new places alone. I hope to bring that type of self-care into my life again.

The bottom line is making the most of your time and making time for yourself, doing the things you love to do.

COVID has put a damper on being out and about this past year and many of us have suffered the loss of contact and going places. But it’s a new year and some of the restrictions have been lifted, though we need to still be careful and get vaccinated, striving to lessen the occurrence of contracting it. But even small walks or sitting outdoors in the sunlight brings a coating of self-care that is free and easy to do. And for those who are not able to be outdoors due to illness or disability, I pray that the Light of the Universe descends upon them in a good way today that we may not forget those less fortunate than ourselves. Helping others helps us too, and is another form of self-care.

These are the types of self-care that came to my mind; here’s to hoping I remember to take the time I need for me, and clear my calendar now and then to allow for it. I look forward to learning more ways of self-care from everyone who writes about this prompt. Thank you for reading.