You can’t be selfless, without being selfish
November 3rd, 2008 | Published in Authenticity In Entrepreneurship, Taking Care of You | 4 Comments
This weekend, I was acutely reminded about how important it is to treat yourself. Here are some photos of my 7 year old at a spa made just for Tweens:
So what is my point in showing you these pictures - other than to show you how freakin’ cute my kid is in a pedi tub and spa robe?!?
The point is, even at 7, Maddie understands the concept of taking time for herself - and beyond that - taking it to the level of being selfish about the time she takes.
At the spa, she just ate up the experience. She enjoyed every last moment of being catered to and pampered. She delighted in being able to choose the color of her nails, the robe she wore, and the flip flops she picked out. And she loved being fussed over, at the spa and when we got home.
Do you ever give yourself that kind of experience?
I have a confession to make - last week, all week, I kept saying to myself “boy, I could use some “me” time. Tonight, I’m going to take a bubble bath and lock the rest of the world out for a little while.” I didn’t do it. And when I try to come up with a good reason why, they’re all just excuses.
I had a crazy busy week last week - in the business and personally. Do you know what a bubble bath would have done for me? Taking just that hour would have been so energizing. Not only that, but taking that time would have done wonders for my very busy brain.
This week challenge yourself - take time off. And it doesn’t have to be long, but consciously give yourself permission to disconnect, clear your mind and be spoiled and pampered. I promise to take my bubble bath this week - how are you going to spoil yourself?
About Jenn Givler
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:34 pm (#)
It’s hard for us to take the “me” time we need & deserve, but we MUST
Excellent way to re-energize, re-focus and just relax.
Your DD looks like she’s totally enjoying the experience.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:44 pm (#)
It all comes down to reserves, doesn’t it?
You can’t give what you don’t have. Having more than enough of what you need allows you to be at choice–with one of those choices, potentially, being to give more to others.
The real question is *why* is it hard to be selfish when we know it simply makes us better…at everything, and for everyone?
Thanks for starting the conversation, Jenn!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm (#)
Stacy - you hit it right on the head there - WHY is it so hard to be selfish when we know it does such wonderful things for us?
For me, I think part of it is, I absolutely love what I do and most of the time, it doesn’t feel like “work.” So I’m a little slow at realizing that I need a break.
The other part of it for me is that I’m driven. And when I’m creating, I’m not satisfied until it’s created… and in the midst of all that is when I really need the down time.
Tara - I love that you use the word “deserve.” So many of us bang our heads against our work figuring that we don’t deserve the time, the treat, the luxury of, well - time - if we don’t get everything on our lists done.
I’ve also been guilty of not wanting to take the time because I felt like there was something I “should” be doing… like the list is right there lurking so why bother taking time off.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:22 pm (#)
It’s hard for me to be selfish because that is the way I was raised! Being selfish was BAD! A good wife & mother ALWAYS puts her family first!! I watched my mother “do without” so that we 3 girls could have, be and do it all! Dad was a great Dad but she put him on a pedistal……he deserved the hunting gear & hunting trips, etc. but she didn’t deserve to have her hair done, her chcoice!
I never wanted to believe it because I was always such a rebellious, independent person BUT that upbringing has had a HUGE impact on my life today. All those sacrifices and comments she made then have become my unconscious beliefs now……I am working on NOT associating love with sacrifice!