W.I.N. Wednesday: Choose Yourself Without Shame

The topic of self-care came up in discussions earlier this week with Alton McCallum EdD on the topic Whole Souled Leaders, and with Adriana Johnsgaard MD FMP discussing wellness for first responders. In the Dare to Be Great Leadership workshops I give people a couple of minutes to write down their self-care rituals, the non-negotiables in their life that are about looking after themselves. Some people never write anything down. Others are done after 10 to 15 seconds and one or two would still be writing 20 minutes later if I gave them the time.  

After we talk about what is on their self-care lists, we discuss the reality that for them to best lead others, they need to be at their best and to do that they need to prioritize self-care and make sure they are healthy, or “whole” as Alton would say. I then share with the participants a quote from Katie Reed, “Self-care means giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.”

Recently I came across the following from Alex Elle, which emphasizes the importance of making self-care, self-prioritization, a practice (a ritual) and not an occasionally thing.

Choosing Ourselves Without Shame

Finding our way is hard when we’re emotionally stuck in certain habits, relationships and environments.

Self-prioritization is an ongoing practice, not just about choosing ourselves in the moment.

• Each day, we must recommit to our well-being – whether through a mindful walk, a nourishing meal, or a quiet moment of reflection.

• The micro-moments matter and can turn into the big moments that shape us.

Listening to our body and mind, honor our needs, and respond to the challenges in life with compassion and care is self-love.

 Alex Elle

Elle makes an important point that we need to self-prioritize and establish self-care rituals without shame. This is not being selfish. This is understanding that to best be of service to others, we need to commit, or re-commit to our wellbeing, understanding that the micro-moments matter.

What’s Important Now? Choose yourself without shame.

Take care.

Brian Willis

www.lifesmostpowerfulquestion.com

ONE QUESTION BRINGING FOCUS AND CLARITY IN THE CHAOS AND COMPLEXITY OF TODAY'S WORLD.

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