“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30

"Self-care is not a waste of time. Self-care makes your use of time more sustainable." ~Jackie Viramontez

There is a trend going around currently where you create your “Dopamine Menu.” Essentially, you write out things that fill up your bucket. It’s very focused on self-care. Many of the lists are filled with things like get a treat, call a friend, go on a walk, or read a book. All really good self-care activities! It’s another step showing how self-care really has started to infiltrate our pop culture. We often talk about how we just need a little self-care, or encourage that attitude in our friends. However, self-care is more than face masks, manis/pedis and shopping at Target. While those things can be very restful and restorative, self-care runs deeper. The things we do for self-care and rest should be activities and rhythms that help us to be our very best selves the rest of the time. Aiding us in our spiritual growth. Helping us to show up for our lives. In this blog, I want to share how self-care is something that we are called to as followers of Christ and how it can really be an aspect of your spiritual life. 

YOU ARE HUMAN

“The challenge is not to be perfect—it is to be whole.” ~Jane Fonda

If you take something from this blog today, then take this... you do not have to be perfect. As Christian women, we so often strive to be everything for everyone, to be better than best, to pour ourselves out. We wear the word “busy” as a badge. We tell people that “we can sleep when we are dead.” And we fill our calendars with good stuff, but don’t leave space for rest because it doesn’t seem productive. Yet, in doing that, we often ignore the beauty of what God has put inside us. A need to rest, a rhythm for recovery, a beauty and simplicity in finding time to just be. What if we were to stop and just take some time to focus on being whole?

We were created with limits. We need to sleep at night, we need to drink water, we need to eat food, and so on. We are not robots or batteries, with an ability to continue on never stopping. This limitation is a reminder from God to engage in regular self-care. It’s an acknowledgement that everyday you need to take care of yourself. If there were ever any doubt that God wants us to engage in activities that provide rest and recovery for us, I think the very fact that we have these limits would bring certainty. 

You are human. 

STRATEGIES FOR SELF-CARE

"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." ~John Steinbeck

One of my favorite books about spiritual self-care that actually gives you actionable steps is Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons. Her beautiful book walks through how she was riddled with anxiety and stress, and the steps she took to get to a healthier and happier place. She breaks down steps that will help you create self-care rhythms that work for your own life. If you are interested in going even deeper in this process, I highly suggest you read her book! To get you started, here are some strategies for self-care that have served me well: 

• Start with the basics. Sometimes, it can be tempting to want to completely overhaul your self-care routine. To build big ideas or dream of all the ways you are going to make a change! However, often what we need is just the space for basic self-care. Start with these questions. Am I getting enough sleep? Am I eating healthy? Am I getting the physical activity I need? What basic self-care do I really need to focus on? 
• Stay consistent. Once you know what basic self-care routines you need to focus on, build the habit. Start by deciding when and where these things will happen. For example, if you need to get enough sleep then choose what time you are getting ready for bed, when you are going to sleep and when you plan on waking up. Then set reminders, get accountability if you need, and stay consistent.
• Choose just one or two self-care routines to start with. Don’t go overboard! Trust me, I’ve been there. Thinking that if I change my sleep, read the Bible more, give up sugar totally and then work out for at least an hour a day… well then, all of my problems would be solved! Of course, I can keep up this strict routine for about a couple of days at the most, before life catches up to me. So instead of aiming for a full overhaul, just start with one or two. Then get really good at those, before you add more. 
• Pray about it. Sometimes, we get so tied into this idea of what can I do, how can I make a change, or what do I need to accomplish. Which works some of the time! Other times, we need to actually step back and pray about it. Where do you see God at work in your life? Perhaps, He is already leading you toward the self-care rhythms that you most need in your life.
• Be creative! The beauty of self-care is that it is as diverse and individual as you are. You get to focus on the self-care and routines that you need the most. Here are some ideas: getting a full night of sleep, waking up without an alarm, showering, eating healthy, starting a new hobby, working out consistently, reading books that are life-giving, starting a new Bible study, calling your friends, going on long walks outside, or even just scheduling in time for something you love to do. 

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

“Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.” ~Billy Graham

This human piece of ourselves that needs care allows us to be dependent on God. We cannot take care of all of our own needs. We cannot be perfect every single time. Instead, we must trust that God will help us when we reach our limits. So the very act of self-care allows us to build our spiritual muscles. 

One way to focus on self-care that improves your spiritual life is to focus on habits that draw you closer to God. Spiritual growth is not a linear process. It is one full of discernment, repeated lessons, and time. So give yourself time, allow yourself to make mistakes… be patient with this process. It can be helpful to find other people to join you on this journey! Look for mentors or peers that can join you in creating habits that are life-giving. Together you can be creative and keep each other accountable. 

RESOURCES

"Lighten up on yourself. No one is perfect. Gently accept your humanness." ~Deborah Day

Here are some resources that can aid your self-care, ones that I personally love:

• Dwell Bible App- Listen to the Bible, while you are on the go or just resting.
• Gratitude Journal - One of our favorite products! Build a gratitude practice in simple steps.
• Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons - A great book for learning how to build self-care systems into your life.
• Calming Bath Salts - Take a super relaxing bath and build habits that allow you to feel refreshed.
• Just Breathe Hoodie - The softest hoodie that comes with a special reminder on the sleeve. 

WONDERFULLY MADE

You are magnificent beyond measure, perfect in your imperfections, and wonderfully made.” ~Abiola Abrams

Allow this blog to serve as encouragement and permission to take time to focus on your own self-care. God has asked us to love others, as we love ourselves. Which indicates that we must also care and love ourselves! How much better can you show up for others if you yourself are well-rested, energized and at peace? 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

• What does self-care look like in your life?
• How can you improve your self-care today or this week?
• Are there areas of your life that you have been neglecting for the sake of “busy”?
• How can self-care improve your spiritual life?
• What is one aspect of this blog that has helped you?

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” ~Mark 1:35

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” ~Jeremiah 17:7-8