What Does ‘Self-Care’ Even Mean?

Self-care can look like a million different things. What does it actually mean to *you*?
Christi Hegstad November 5th, 2021

The conversation around self-care sometimes perplexes me.

We often hear it discussed in terms of spa days and vacations.

On the other hand, we also view self-care as eating nutritiously and exercising regularly.

I agree with – and am a big fan of – all of the above. I have felt the need, however, to define some form of happy medium when it comes to caring for myself. Something that feels a bit beyond meeting my basic needs, but also that I can realistically incorporate on a routine basis.

Not in place of, but in addition to, those items referenced above.

So I’ve asked myself, ‘When do I feel I’ve cared for myself well? What tends to help me feel my best?’ Below are some of the answers I’ve generated.

I feel like I’ve cared for myself when I:

* Set up my day as a blend of productivity and peacefulness. Not necessarily in equal measure, but both at least making an appearance.

* Complete or let go of a lingering task, rather than transferring it to yet another to-do list. Making the phone call, hitting ‘send’ on the email, cleaning the bathroom – whatever it may be.

* Create with my hands. This could involve baking a batch of apple muffins, typing up a new blog, or writing a thank-you card and dropping it in the mail.

* Say what I need to say. It’s harder, but seems to work better than, bottling things up or secretly rolling my eyes.

* Keep first things first, such as honoring my values, respecting my priorities, and not letting the little things get in the way of the big things.

I don’t do all of these perfectly, every day. But examining self-care through my own lens has helped me become more intentional about it, more regularly.

When do you feel like you’ve cared for yourself well? Consider journaling around this question yourself, and feel free to share a response or two below!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC, is the Practical + Purposeful Coach for Achievers!  Join our email community for coaching tips, book recommendations, earlybird enrollment to the 2022 ASPIRE Success Club, and more!


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