u003cpu003eby Claire Lougeu003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eLast week, I was on the phone with my older sister, Nathalie. We were checking in about our lives, and what is happening in the world. I described all the things I had going on, and everything I was doing, and told her I was a bit overwhelmed. Before we hung up, being the good older sister that she is, she said, “remember to take care of yourself, Claire.”u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eI was annoyed.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://pcaaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/pexels-humphrey-muleba-1612854-scaled.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022 wp-image-10170 alignrightu0022 src=u0022https://pcaaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/pexels-humphrey-muleba-1612854.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022246u0022 height=u0022369u0022 /u003eu003c/au003eHadn’t she just heard the long list of tasks on my to-do list? When was I supposed to do this ‘self-care’? And what does self-care even mean anymore, in 2020, when things we used to rely on to feel stable are absent?u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eBut then I caught myself. The fact that I was annoyed by being reminded to take care of myself was a sign that I probably needed to focus a bit more on self-care.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eThe concept of self-care, however, usually frustrates me. Self-care can feel like u003cemu003eyet another thingu003c/emu003e that needs to be done in a sea of competing priorities. Everyone seems to tout the importance of self-care, but in our busy, fast-paced, hustle culture, it can feel like we’re being asked to stay dry while going for a swim.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eSelf-care is also an ill-defined concept. Is it bubble baths and meditation? Is it supposed to be something you do to make yourself happy (eating ice cream), or that feels easy (taking a nap), or something that’s hard but good for you in the long run (cardio)?u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eThere’s also u003cemu003ejustu003c/emu003e u003cemu003eso much to care aboutu003c/emu003e. Our families. Our planet. Our nation. Racial equity. Poverty. Our economy. Covid-19. Child well-being. Open your email inbox or go on social media or watch the news. The list of things to care about is literally endless, and growing.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eWith so much to care about, where does self-care fit, and u003cemu003ewhat is itu003c/emu003e?u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eReflecting on this, I’ve settled on the following definition:u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eSelf-care is what you do to be the kind of person you want to be. u003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eSelf-care is what you do to be able to self-regulate. Self-regulation is your ability to calm yourself and manage stress so you can make u003cstrongu003ethoughtfully reflective decisionsu003c/strongu003e.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eIf you look at it this way, self-care not only becomes foundational to your life, it becomes your u003cstrongu003eethical responsibility as a professionalu003c/strongu003e. The world needs more self-regulated people make to thoughtfully reflective decisions.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eSo if, like me, you’re struggling to define self-care in your own life, start with this question: What can I do today to help me be the kind of person I want to be?u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eMaybe it’s taking a nap, because your body needs rest to function.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eMaybe it’s taking a walk, because you know moving your body will help you feel grounded.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eMaybe it’s saying no to a request, because you have a different priority.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eMaybe it’s booking that appointment with a therapist, because you want to understand yourself better.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eMaybe it’s watching a show, because you need to give your brain a break.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eMaybe it’s calling a friend to vent, because you need to release some stress.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eMaybe it u003cemu003eisu003c/emu003e a bubble bath or meditation.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eAs times change and our needs change, self-care will look different, but its purpose remains the same.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eWhat are you doing today to be the kind of person you want to be?u003c/pu003e
