Ode to Self-Care: A poem to inspire putting yourself first

The main reason behind my burnout ten years ago was that I had never made self-care a priority and didn’t know how to rest.

 In fact, I had no idea how to even make time to rest.

On the rare occasion that I did take time out – I looked around for things to do, made lists in my mind and couldn’t fully relax.

Before I burned out I felt like I was running on reserves.  I was tired, but wired.

When I went to bed at night I would sleep, but I would either find it hard to settle because of all the things in my mind and spend large portions of the night re-enacting the day in my sleep or running through the motions of the next day.

Sometimes I would even be sat bolt upright in bed, physically asleep, but energetically engaging with all the things I was compulsively thinking about.  Talking out loud as if I was in a meeting or delivering presentations.

I was totally energetically and emotionally depleted.

Does any of this sound familiar?

You are not alone.  

If you look around you, you’ll notice that we are living in a society that has forgotten the importance of rest.

And because we are not caring for ourselves, we are not caring for our planet.

Our healthcare systems are struggling to support the overwhelming number of people going through emotional, mental, physical and spiritual challenges – and we are experiencing serious signs that our planet is heading for global shut down.

The number one way that you can make a positive difference is to start by plugging yourself back into source. 

What do I mean?

I mean, taking time out to be still.

Taking time out to rest.

And then, in that space – breaking through all of the conditioning you have received that keeps you stuck in fight or flight – and remembering how to rest.

Reconnecting with the source of your being.

Why will this make the biggest difference?

Because when you learn how to do this and do it you will come alive again.  You’ll suddenly realise how different and how much better you feel when you are well rested.

It is like coming home to your-self.

Your true self – not the identity you created of a busy person, rushing around with a million things to do, trying to spin a million plates and feeling constantly overwhelmed.

But, the person inside of you who is whole, healthy, free and happy for no reason.

Wouldn’t you like to awaken the person you are really here to be?

She is in there!  She is waiting!

Imagine, just imagine if you dared to give her the chance to come out.  If you set free your well rested woman.

Wouldn’t that inspire others to do the same?

Well… I believe you can become a catalyst for real change.

Because if everyone started to care more for themselves, they would realign with what really matters.  They would reconnect with themselves and with each other – and start to value each other and the very Earth that gives us life and that we have been neglecting.

Isn’t it time for this kind of change? 

Please don’t stay stuck in burnout.  There is a way out.  It is SO important to listen now to your body if it is feeling heavy and exhausted every day. 

Whether your inner knowing has been quietly whispering to you… 

 Or – she has been shouting for a while!

It is time to pay her attention.

It is time to give your-self the rest you need.

It is time to learn and remember how to restore.

 

You have an incredible innate capacity to come back to life.  When you plug back in you will be amazed at how much better you will feel, how much more passion you can reignite and how much more impact you can make.

I’ll leave you with my “Ode to Self-Care”:

 

 

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Need some extra support or tools and techniques to help you rest and recharge?  Join my next online group programme (starting Fri 15th March), read my bestseller ‘Burnout to Brilliance: Strategies for Sustainable Success ‘ or book your complimentary consultation with me today.  Click here to view my calendar and choose the slot that best suits your schedule. I offer 1-2-1 private and group retreats in the stunning Somerset countryside and by the sea near Bristol.