Your Most Cared for Self

We constantly learn and relearn how to care for ourselves. There are times in life when we've mastered self-care. We know what we need and how to give it to ourselves, and there are other times when we seem to have forgotten everything we've learned and feel like we're starting from scratch. This is totally okay. The reality is self-care is a constant feedback loop. We nurture ourselves, we grow, and our lives change. Then we learn again how to nurture ourselves in this new form. When we're struggling with how to care for ourselves, the Shine team often returns to an idea that therapist, Dr. Raye Henry introduced to us. It's an exercise she uses to help her clients regain a sense of calm. I, Dr. Henry says to ask yourself a simple question, what do I look like when I'm my most cared for self? Unpacking that answer can help you rediscover the big and small things that will help you feel your best. And today we'll explore your most cared for self together. Let's begin. Find a comfortable position. Find a moment of rest in stillness. Gently close your eyes if you can, or simply lower your gaze intake a deep breath. In and out. In and out. As you breathe, allow yourself to notice the information your body is gathering. What do you feel? What do you hear? What do you smell as you allow your attention to be pulled, label each piece of information with a single word in your mind, the feeling on your shoulder, and itch the sound of your clock ticking. Allow yourself to name any input you get without fixating on any of it. I'll give you some time. Beautiful. Now, return to a quiet even breath. Ask yourself, when was the last time I was my most cared for self? If that question is hard for you, maybe just think back to a time when you felt stable, secure, or safe. What did that self look like? As you reflect, picture this version of yourself in front of you. Once you see them in front of you, imagine that you sit down next to this other you and begin to get to know them. Start by asking what makes you smile. What is your daily routine like? Who is in your life right now and in what way? How do you use your time? Take some time to ask any other questions that might come up. Nice job. Now, as you continue to sit on this bench beside your past self, imagine they ask the, present you a question. Does any of this feel useful to you today? Take a moment to reflect and then tell past you which of their strategies might be helpful for you today. Once you finished, say goodbye to past you. Maybe give them a hug or a wave. Thank them for caring for themselves so well, so that you can be here today. Then...