Self Care Isn’t Selfish
why taking time away is essential
One of the most common arguments to rest and self care that I hear – and you might be thinking it right now – is that it’s selfish. Or that other people need it more than you do. Or that there just isn’t time for it.
Truthfully, life is often busy. It doesn’t seem to slow down much. Which means we have to intentionally make time for the things that matter. And that includes you and taking care of yourself.
If we aren’t intentional about making time to invest in our health, growth and rest, then these valuable things will likely slip through the cracks. As a counselor, I’ve spent time with many women who have done this very thing. They’ve forgotten how to care for themselves and the various areas of their health.
You might be concerned that taking time for yourself means less time for others – maybe even people who need you, like a small child or an aging parent. But, did you ever consider that taking care of yourself might actually help you to care better for others?
As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
We can’t give well when we don’t have anything left to give. We need rest and replenishment.
We see that even Jesus needed time to rest and recharge:
Mark 1:35: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”
Luke 5:16: “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”
John 4:6: “Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well…”
As Christians, Jesus is our perfect example of how to live faithfully. He took the time to be alone with God and to rest. Even in His earthly body, he needed rest.
Taking time away from everyday life isn’t selfish, whether it’s just an hour on a Saturday morning, a weekend trip, or even an entire month away from work.
We need time to be alone and to be alone with God. It allows us time to replenish and time to clear our minds of everyday stressors and clutter that might be there.
Self care and alone time give us the capacity to better serve others. Self care isn’t selfish – it might actually be one of the least selfish things you can do as you seek to better show up for others.
Are you looking for ways to be intentional about self care? Or maybe you need a weekend away from the busyness of your daily life. Find the rest you’ve been craving, and learn how to create a life that lends itself to peace daily, here at Graceful Balance.
We offer a variety of retreats throughout the year, as well as workshops and other resources! Learn more about how to join us for a retreat here:
