An act of quiet protest
I started this year with the conviction that self care is more important now than ever. It feels almost as if self care is an act of quiet protest against covid and the multiple issues which with the world is faced because of the pandemic.
My definition of self care is that it is every day small acts of kindness to myself that replenish my soul. This means that it does not have to cost anything. This means that it is life-giving to me in small, joyful ways. I go for a walk, I read a book, I journal, I talk to a friend, I pray and most oddly recently, I go and look at the cucumbers I have managed to grow in my garden, simply because it gives me joy!
My self care won’t look like yours and that is fine.
We are in the middle of a marathon. Actually, I don’t know if we’re a quarter through or half way or towards the finish! But what I do know is that this marathon has already taken more out of us than we anticipated at the start, nearly a year ago for us in South Africa.
I’m not a runner, but what I do know is that pace is crucial to finishing the race well. Even marathon runners in training have rest days. Long distance runners listen to their bodies and nurture them through nutrition, massage and various therapies and disciplines to get ready for the long haul and the impact the distances will have on their bodies.
I don’t think I can emphasise enough how important self care is, to sustain us for where we are and for where we need to get to. We know of people in despair, loss and facing tragedy everywhere right now. Today, I may be loving someone else through their valley, but tomorrow I may be the one in more desperate need. We’re in this together and we need to help one another through.
If we do not take the time to keep on caring for ourselves, we won’t be able to be part of the rebuilding process of our world. To bring it closer to home, our self care enables us to continue to be available to our children and families.
Self care is not selfishness. Self care is an act of quiet, life-giving protest.
