We often think that self-care is about taking a spa day, but it’s so much more than that. Our self-care includes the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual practices we honor to care for our FULL self.  What things do you need to honor most in yourself so you are positioned to thrive?  

We all know the saying put your oxygen mask on first as it applies to flight safety but applying this metaphor to our lives, we’ll discover that if we take care of our needs first we actually have more margin and energy for others.

You can't truly show up for others unless you show up for yourself first. Others treat us how we show them to.

What does it mean to REALLY show up for yourself? Making commitments to yourself like:

• Only saying ‘yes’ to projects, tasks, and work aligned with your purpose, values, and passions.

• Deciding to return calls and texts when you have the margin and time to do so.

• Not putting yourself out there to be vulnerable with someone who has shown you who they are—that they are untrustworthy or unsafe.

• Not feeling obliged to sign up for commitments and responsibilities outside work because you feel you “should.”

Lisa Nichols recently posted a comment on LinkedIn, and this resonated strongly with me: “Unhappiness comes from knowing what kind of life you've always envisioned for yourself, but not taking the necessary steps and ACTION to make that life a reality.”

There is no more important relationship you have in our lives than the one you have with yourself. Loving yourself well isn’t selfish; it’s a form of self-care!

If you’re feeling drained, exhausted, or downright unhappy this is a cue for you to start taking action, to change the way you show up for YOU.

Maya Angelou said, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

Take a page out of Maya’s playbook and start taking the actions to thrive. But know that it starts with honoring your needs, setting boundaries, and learning how to love yourself.

This Valentine’s Day, why not flip the script and think of ways you can treat yourself, in addition to how you may decide to demonstrate your love romantically to your partner.

Happy Valentine’s Day!