Redefining Self-Care: How to Nurture Your Body and Spirit in Every Season
Redefining Self-Care: Nurturing Your Body and Spirit in Every Season
If you’re alive in today’s world, chances are you’ve heard the term self-care. For me, self-care became a buzzword when I had my first child in 2016. Back then, I understood it as something physical: eating well, exercising, moisturizing, hydrating—anything to keep my “mom-machine” running smoothly.
But as I grew into parenthood, I realized that self-care wasn’t just about my body; it was about caring for my spirit too. By 2020, amidst the uncertainty of a global pandemic, I had another revelation: self-care isn’t static. It evolves as our lives and needs change.
The Evolution of My Self-Care Journey
For years, I let societal “shoulds” define my self-care, rather than reflecting on what I truly needed. Here are some of my failed attempts:
- Mom to one newborn: Self-care meant putting my baby down just long enough to pee alone or doing a weekly deep conditioning treatment for my hair.
- Mom to a toddler: I thought getting back into horseback riding would make me clear-headed, interesting, and rested. Spoiler: it didn’t.
- Mom to a toddler and a newborn: Instagram convinced me that some magical product or subscription would solve all my problems. It didn’t.
These approaches didn’t work because I wasn’t asking myself what I needed. Instead, I let others dictate my self-care.
The Turning Point: Defining Self-Care for Myself
A long bout of postpartum depression led me to a therapist who taught me the most important lesson about self-care: you can’t care for yourself if you don’t understand yourself.
Then, in 2020, I had an unexpected epiphany. During a solo drive to do grocery pick-ups, I listened to my music, rehashed old memories, and simply enjoyed my own company. It wasn’t a spa day or a grand gesture—it was just me and my minivan. I felt refreshed and grateful, finally understanding that self-care is about what nurtures you in the moment.
Self-Care vs. Self-Comfort
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Self-care nurtures your body and spirit. It serves your life and helps you grow.
- Self-comfort provides an escape, and that’s okay too—just recognize the difference.
Examples:
- A bubble bath or a solo walk might nurture your spirit.
- Binge-watching a show or indulging in a glass of wine offers a temporary escape.
Both are important, but self-care is about leaning into what you truly need to feel fulfilled right now.
How to Evolve Your Self-Care
Self-care should grow and adapt with you. Here’s how to make it work:
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Reflect on Your Current Needs
- What challenges or joys are unique to this season of your life?
- What activities make you feel recharged?
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Experiment with Different Practices
- Try bubble baths, meal-planning, or solo drives to see what feels nurturing.
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Support Your Partner’s Self-Care
- Help each other identify what fills your cups and encourage one another to prioritize it.
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Embrace Change
- Your self-care will shift as your life evolves—and that’s a good thing!
Make Self-Care a Resolution This Year
As we step into a new year, I encourage you to include self-care in your goals. Explore what it means for you right now and revisit it often. Remember, self-care is dynamic—it grows with you.
Let’s nurture ourselves and the people we love, creating space for joy, rest, and growth in every season of life.
Looking for more inspiration? Nurtured Nest offers self-paced online learning for parents to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. Learn more about our courses here.