I’m in the middle of reading a really fascinating book called “And How Does that Make you Feel?: everything you (n)ever wanted to know about therapy”. The chapter I’ve just finished was a succinct but thought-provoking one on the topic of ‘Self-Care’. Now, bear with me! Author, Joshua Fletcher, serves a very important reminder. For those of us on any of the social media platforms, we are constantly bombarded with advice and top tips on how to achieve wellness…and some coming from very unsolicited sources! Heck, even us at Propeller-Tech have given our top 10 tips on achieving better mental well-being. From meditation and mindfulness to strict diets and exercise routines, the advice is overwhelming and you could spend a life-time in pursuit of that one thing that helps you find what you’re looking for…
Which brings me to the most important point that Fletcher empathises; self-care is:
“whatever you deem to be nurturing and wholesome for you.”
To different people, self-care can look very different, and even to the same person, self-care can take on multiple forms depending on what their needs are in that moment. One day, it might be a pizza and a glass (umm bottle) of wine with friends. Another day, it could be a quiet walk in the forest with your phone turned off.
As Fletcher so aptly puts it,
“Self-care is not a skill to be perfected. This only leads to a self-depleting paradox in which the thing that is supposed to restore you, just makes you feel bad instead.”
How many of us have felt guilty for not being able to stick to a meditation practice or a strict diet, only to end up feeling more drained and defeated?
What if we’re going about self-care all wrong? What if, instead of forcing ourselves into a mould of what we think self-care should look like based on a meme or influencer’s post, we focus on what truly brings us joy and relaxation?
They key takeaway? If something doesn’t work for you, don’t do it. Meditation not your thing? Skip it. The new gluten-free diet making your miserable? Ditch it. Gratitude journal feeling like a chore? Let it go. Self-care should be enjoyable, not another task on your to-do list. Forcing it only leads to frustration and defeats the purpose.
When running your own business or indeed working for a startup, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to deliver and perform.
We find ourselves often sacrificing our well-being and the things that bring us joy for the sake of meeting deadlines, responding to customer queries or doing just that little bit extra tonight so you don’t have to do it tomorrow. It might be very well that even these actions are what you need in order to achieve a state of contentment. No one can say otherwise. This is about you.
So set your boundaries, take breaks when they suit you, do what you love in those breaks, listen to your body and mind and be honest with yourself and what works for you and what doesn’t. Whatever it is, make time for it. Your well-being depends on it.
As we strive to prioritise self-care in our personal lives, it’s equally crucial for employers to recognise the diverse needs of their staff. By doing so, they can create an environment that supports and accommodates individual self-care requirements.
This might mean allowing flexible working hours, such as a two-hour lunch break or adjusting start and finish times to suit an employee’s needs. It could also involve providing distraction-free workspaces or quiet areas for those who require them. By embracing these differences and making adjustments where possible, employers can help their staff arrive at work with their full minds focused on the job at hand, leading to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and overall well-being.
By acknowledging that self-care is not a one-size-fits-all solution, employers can play a vital role in supporting their employees’ mental health and happiness.
What does self-care mean to you? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!
References
Whether you are in therapy, contemplating it or have decided it’s not for you, this book is a really great read – full of laughter and tears and cringe-worthy moments. You can find it in different formats at the links below:-
Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/and-how-does-that-make-you-feel/joshua-fletcher/9781398713208
Audio: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/And-How-Does-That-Make-You-Feel-Audiobook/B0CHFZSRQL
