I’ve been following Julia Cameron’s book about creativity, “The Artist’s Way,” and this sentence/concept she wrote resonated with me profoundly. Why is it that we fail to see our own selves as the most precious things we’ve ever been entrusted with? We are the most steadfast companions we’ll ever have. Why does it feel so unnatural to treat ourselves with the same love, respect, care and support we’d give to a child, friend or partner?
It’s an irony of human existence that we default to shame and self-loathing, failing to recognize our own endearing humanity. Everyone feels awkward, gross, ridiculous and unworthy of love. That right there is the shared experience, the endearing humanity. But the awkward gross ridiculousness makes us feel SO unworthy of being loved or even liked that we end up feeling alienated and alone. We’re each embarrassed and ashamed of the very thing we most have in common.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Cameron’s advice — which she suggests adopting as a mantra — and the general feelings of self-worth it takes to go after your dreams/try to change your life/reach any personal goal you may have. The audacity. Who are WE to want more than all the blessings in our already privileged lives?
Treating myself as a precious object is a good reminder of my inherent value, which will make me strong. So I’m creating a daily self-care checklist of little practices I can do as part of my regular routine that make me feel a little more precious and special.
I’m still working on the list, but a few things I’m starting with are:
–Take a few minutes to stretch during the day: roll shoulders, wrists and ankles, raise arms overhead, bend knees and stretch lower back. (I sit a lot to write and read, so my shoulders and hips often feel tight.)
— Moisturize after every shower. (This is just a little thing, but during my busiest and most frenetic days in entertainment journalism, I felt like there was no time in the day to apply lotion after a shower, even though I love yummy-smelling lotions and have sensitive, scratchy skin. I thought I was so busy and felt like news was moving so fast that I could not take the LITERALLY 90 SECONDS it took to rub a little body butter into my arms and legs. I know this is crazy, and that’s why moisturizing after a shower is a precious thing to me. Plus I’m middle-aged now, and moisturizing is even more important for us.) (I also need to use face lotions and moisturizers more often, but one thing at a time.)