On Self-Care and Needs

Did this week feel extra rough for you too?

I'm not sure if it's because January, and January lasts forever every year, or if it's that silly retrograding Mercury, because it's FRICKIN' FREEZING,or the shedding of ones uterine lining (not mentioning any names), or all of the above, but I. Am. TOAST!

 During the more challenging weeks, I really am reminded, usually by my body, to take my self-care to the next level. 

Self-care has definitely become one of those overused buzzwords that eventually loses meaning, but I've come to think of it as making sure my needs are met. 

I used to work with children, and they all have different needs at different times, in different scenarios.

I don't believe that goes away as we grow up and start "adulting" so what may look like self-care to me today, may mean something different to me tomorrow, and something ENTIRELY different from what YOU may do to meet your needs. ​

There's a leftover "one-size-fits-all" mentality of self-care, that's simply outdated. 

Our bioindividuality necessitates a specific approach to one's maintenance of wellness.
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If we revisit Psych 101, we see Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

What I like about this model, is the focus is placed on human potential, not limitations. 

The original model of the hierarchy of needs is shaped like a pyramid, with basic physical needs at the bottom, and the more "frivolous" needs in the "fats, oils and sweets" section.

Like the food pyramid, this needed a makeover.

What if:
Instead of moving step-by-step upward, only once you beat the boss of the current level: "Ok I'm safe and well fed, NOW I can pay attention to my relationships, and once those are settled, I can work on my self-esteem." 

What if:
We can imagine our needs as interconnected...
Like a web. 
When one strand is stressed, it affects the entire creation. 

I don't know about you, but when my self-esteem suffers, my relationships suffer. 

When my relationships suffer, my cognitive abilities are less sharp. 

When I feel less "self-actualized", or less like I'm reaching my potential (and/or feeling less like MYSELF), my interest in meeting even my most basic needs is compromised.
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Anyone else ever eat only popcorn for dinner? 
Yes/No?
Just me?
Oh, you have wine with it too?
OK, well... balance.
We'll call it The Olivia Pope Special.
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This idea of bioindividuality and interconnected needs were concepts that hugely resonated with me both in massage school, and during my year studying with The Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
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One of the tools I was taught was the "Circle of Life Exercise"
(No, not the one from the Lion King. Though, thank you Elton for that earworm.) 

I've adapted it to my personal interpretation as: The Web of Wellness

The Web invites you to take inventory of your current state of being, and see which strand might need a little love, support, and fortification.
What's really cool about this exercise is that you can then zoom in on one strand, and open it up to take a closer look.
So much can be contained in "Physical" for example. It's not just what you eat, drink, and how you move your body, but also, your comfort, rest, and safety!

Sometimes the source of our "un-wellness" isn't always what we think it is at first glance. 
(Frankly, most of our un-wellness stems from systemic issues much bigger than us, but in this work, we focus on what we CAN change on the micro level, so we can have the bandwidth to CREATE change on the macro.)

This is just one of many tools we utilize together in our coaching sessions. If this resonates with you, let's talk! 

​I have 2 appointments available this week for the New Year's Jumpstart

​A 90 minute 1-1 session dedicated to kicking off 2022 in full alignment, with a clear direction, and actionable strategy, so you can ignite some significant life change, and finally follow through on the life you've always imagined.

First THREE spots reserved by February 1st receive $50 off using code EARLYBIRD50