RADICAL SELF CARE
Our cultural/social conditioning tells us that we must work hard to earn respect and worthiness. We tend to put our needs after those of others to earn our place in the world. We tend to think that loving ourselves first, meeting our needs first, is selfish and not loving. Our locus of control is outside ourselves and we look for approval from others to grant ourselves the right to self-care. We tend to live a life of scarcity and enervation, looking to others to fill the needs that we ourselves may provide.
When we meet our needs – physical, emotional and mental first, we find we have a fountain of excess energy and caring to give to others and the world. We are actually more loving when we give ourselves permission to directly, deeply, and fully love ourselves.
To embrace the concept that we do not have to earn love is a radical and profoundly life-changing concept. We look at ourselves differently, releasing judgements and cultivating the actions of a loving and integrated person. We therefore transform the way we regard others as well, becoming non-judgmental and deeply accepting. We hold others’ core selves to our hearts and communicate an acknowledgement of worthiness to the other, just because they exist. I believe that is the most healing communication anyone can receive. Let’s learn to give this gift to ourselves and then to others.
As an occupational therapist and coach here is what I offer to you in Radical Self-Care Coaching:
Any of these areas are available to explore. Any of these areas are available to ignore. I am open to considering any idea not mentioned here. You are in charge. You can change your mind at any time. You can add ideas at any time. This is fun! This will release energy. This may also bring up emotions. We go gently and slowing and with joy and deep acknowledgement of your journey.
⁓ How possible trauma and social conditioning prevent you from self-care.
⁓ Review of your functional, daily activities. What brings stress and what brings relaxation. Do you want to let go of activities or change how you do them?
⁓ Posture and movement: Creating safer and more pleasurable ways to move through your day.
⁓ Chronic Pain Management: Understanding the source of chronic pain and the practice of somatic exercises and life activity changes to relieve or reduce chronic pain in daily life.
⁓ Conscious environment: Creating your living spaces to bring you ease of functioning and visual pleasure.
⁓ Mindfulness of your relationship to the different areas of your body. Learning to accept and love all of your body.
⁓ Somatic relationship of feeling, the body, and self-care.
⁓ Exploring the many areas of creativity as self-care.
⁓ Exploring intimacy and sexuality as self-care.
⁓ Practical ways to expand your connections with others.
⁓ Communication skills and how to show up safely as your authentic self.
⁓ Diet and sleep patterns.
⁓ Exploring feelings and release of grief as self-care.