The Power of Self Care

The last senior minister position I held required regular reports to the corporate office. Questions about self care were always on the questionnaire. The leaders wanted to ensure I was caring for my capital “S” Self and my “self” with a small “s.” They cared about this as the number one reason ministers left the organization was burn out.

This past week I woke up early, meditated, then tasked all day. I am still unpacking boxes; figuring out what stays and what goes and then where it goes. Our home is having its bathroom remodeled so there are people around sharing space with my husband and I twelve plus hours a day. First, I am used to my own space, then add a husband, a few workers, lots of noise, navigating small hallways together, dust and unpacking and I am feeling the burnout myself. At 4:30 pm yesterday I sat down and told a helper I couldn’t go any further. I put my feet up and breathed deeply. I realized that I had not built into the week a day or two for just me and without all of the doingness; which for a contemplator is essential.

So, this morning I have a few hours to myself. This moment will be it for most of the week as we have a visitor coming to town (in addition to the remodel…what were we thinking?).

I am starting to embrace “mirco” self care. As I mentioned in my talk this past Tuesday (www.youtube.com/bonniebarnard-scs) I am embracing the idea of micro-service where I do service throughout the week as it arises in front of me instead of signing up for regular service that requires a schedule. Today I explore the idea of micro-care. What do I do for two hours that can be restorative. There is no right answer and yours may be different than mine. This is what I decided: put some hair products in my hair and sit in silence. Take a restorative shower using all kinds of fun products. Walk around naked. Get dressed and sit outside in the slow warming sun. Listen to the birds and stare at fruit trees. Open to receive the energy of the trees. Soak it in. Turn off all electronics. Make a cup of chai tea. Count my blessings. I commit to getting in as much exercise as I can around the house as there won’t be a gym visit anytime soon. Guess that fits into the category of micro-moving.

Today I invite you to explore the idea of self care and make a list of what it means to you. For my husband it means music. For me it is silence. For him it’s the gym and for me I’ll take walks. I am convinced that our beingness requires different things at different times and it isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition.