WHY YOU MAY BE NEGLECTING SELF CARE…

In order for us to get to a place of self love, we have to build up our self esteem by practicing proper self-care intentionally and consistently. Yet, most of us skip this crucial step that will allow us to flourish. In no particular order, here may be some reasons why...

It might be low self esteem, sis…

Sorry to start off like this. People who are overly critical of themselves or who have low self worth will often avoid self-care or don’t see it as priority. I mean why bother, right? Why put in the extra work, if I feel like s*** anyway? I’ve been there before. Not a good feeling. But the more we stay in a rut, the more we will stay in a rut. Does that make sense? The more we allow ourselves to sink into a mess both internally and physically, the worse our self esteem will get. It will be a cycle you wish you could get out of, but have not built the strength to push through. Though we don’t like to admit it, the way we look effects the way we feel and vice versa.

Feeling guilty, perhaps?

Putting others first is common especially for those with children or those who are used to taking care of people because of their life or work situation. Taking care of ourselves can cause feelings of guilt because we can be made to feel selfish for putting ourselves before others.

But what is really selfish is giving only 50% of yourself to everyone because you haven’t been able to give that 100% to yourself. Even when you think you are giving your all to everyone else, the truth is that we are only as good to people as we are to ourselves. This negligence can build up resentment toward those we care for, although it’s a decision we made entirely on our own.

It’s just never enough time.

..or that’s how it can feel a lot of the time. Life gets busy and self care is put on the bottom of the priority list when things that seem more important are not yet finished. There will always be something that has to get done, set that time aside for yourself anyhow.

It’s okay to work, but not if it’s to your detriment. I mean you are human for god sake, not a robot. It’s a disservice to yourself to work nonstop and not give yourself any down time to the point of feeling burnt out and ultimately looking like it too.

Change is hard..like really hard.

Self care requires changes to your life. Change requires hard work and discipline. Not easy at all. Making little changes to your everyday routine can feel very tedious sometimes but trust that it’s so worth it in the end!

You just don’t understand..

Many people see self care as frivolous spending, instead of seeing it for what it is..an investment. You are investing in you. If you didnt know, you are an investment and with any investment comes a profit. If people don’t understand the best and most beneficial forms of self care, they are less likely to practice them regularly.

Your environment sucks

We might have grown comfortable with our environment and don’t even realize that it is effecting our mood and behaviors. You might not be happy with your current living situation, which can cause depression and complacency. Or you may be surrounded by people who also do not prioritize self care and believe this is normal.

A lack of planning

Most people practice self care only when it is necessary, which leads to less effective self care activities. Instead make this a lifestyle.

You just don’t feel like it…

It could be due to laziness or just downright your feelings. Our bodies may not know what it is feeling but it is feeling something. Being in the constant routine of not taking care of our well-being can become such a burden on us that we end up in this endless cycle of. It simply feels like too much effort to try to do better and that my friend, is a horrible place to stay.