Make Self-Care Sacred

A year ago, my dad died when I was 4-months postpartum. I coped with binging TV and comfort food. I gained more weight from grieving than I did from pregnancy. The chronic interruptions and tiredness of being a new mother devoured my discipline for any habits.

Eventually, my body composted to the level of my emotions. My shoulders began to swallow my neck. I had everlasting shoulder pain from nursing and sinking into my deep blue couch.

I serendipitously walked by a Pilates studio near my house that transformed my life. I’m not a person who enjoys working out, but Pilates is pleasurable. The gliding motion of the reformer machine moisturizes my joints while lengthening my ligaments. Pilates takes away my pain and builds my strength without me having to sweat.

Pilates became my keystone habit. It was the starting domino that set all my self-care habits into motion and broke down my fortress of grieving.

I learned to make self-care time sacred. I started to honor this time as something holy that I protect.

I’ve added this approach to writing my two biweekly newsletters. Wednesdays are now my sacred day. I go to my favorite cafe and treat myself to a lavender latte while writing. I defend this boundary like I’m the Night’s Watch, making sure no work or meetings enter my day.

Instead of dreading writing my newsletter, I now look forward to writing.

How can you turn a habit you are developing into something sacred? How can you dress it up and make it decadent?