Women, most likely mothers in their 30s and beyond, do not dare to indulge in self-care! Why? They feel – 1) it is a waste of time and 2) a sense of guilt for being selfish and not spending their free time on the kids, husband, and household chores. Isn’t it true? By the way, what is self-care? Self-care means taking care of the self, especially the physical, mental, and emotional well-being, by involving various activities and practices based on individual needs, preferences, and choices. Self-care is essential for women because we tend to ignore or overlook the importance of taking time for ourselves amid the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. For most women, whether homemakers or employed, self-care is a luxury rather than a necessity. Thus, we tend to neglect the most crucial aspects of our self - physical, mental, and emotional well-being amidst our varied responsibilities of being a wife, mother, or an employee. 

Simple ways to practice self-care can be reading a book, exercising or hitting the gym, attending yoga sessions and meditating, simply walking in the early hours of sunrise or sunset, listening to your go-to music, or watching a favorite movie, treating yourself to a pedicure or manicure or massaging, exploring a new hobby like dancing or learning something new, cooking your favorite meal and savoring the dishes that you like, getting total 8 hours of sleep or wearing clothes and accessories that you want and feel beautiful to be with are simple ways to practice self-care. Also, starting or ending your day with journaling is self-care. Taking care of the self is a personal journey; therefore, spending time with pets at home is one way of self-care. Catching the sunrise on the balcony, having coffee, observing and being aware of the surroundings, appreciating the beauty, and finding happiness in little things is also self-care. Pampering oneself with a skincare routine when down and feeling low can be a pick-me-up for most women who want to indulge in self-care. Spending time with friends over tea or coffee, laughing and cheering about is self-care. Confiding in best friends when you need mental and emotional support is also self-care. Yes, self-care can be anything – anything your heart likes and would like to cherish, and why not? 

Dear beautiful women, it's time to change our perspective on self-care. It's not selfish, it's essential. Like the oxygen mask on a flight, taking care of yourself first enables you to support those around you better. So, let's leave that guilt behind and start indulging in ourselves. Self-love and self-care will not only boost our confidence but also help us navigate the challenges that lie ahead. So, let's commit ourselves to prioritizing self-care. God bless, and see you in another blog :)