Self-Care – What it takes to be your best self

In order to be our best for ourselves and for those whom we interact with, self-care is of the utmost importance. However, social media has convinced us that self-care is all about face masks, going to the spa and shopping sprees.

Although those activities do provide a solution in making us feel better, it is only a temporary fix. Therefore, if we do not take the time out to sit with ourselves and work on our internal struggles, no amount of face masks or spa trips will address those internal battles. For that reason, deeper self-care is required.

Self-care is the ability to look after oneself through awareness, self control and self-reliance. Self care is done in order to achieve, maintain and promote a well balanced life, optimal health and overall well-being.

Personally, I would say that there are four main factors to consider when it comes to self-care, only to name a few:

Accountability allows us to take responsibility for our actions towards others and most importantly towards ourselves; how we speak to and treat ourselves is absolutely important as it sets the tone for how other people will communicate with us and treat us. Accountability also allows us to learn from our mistakes and know how to move forward with better knowledge.

In self-care, setting boundaries is also something we need to take into consideration. Not only is it important to learn how to set boundaries – be it at work, school, or in our different relationships, but it is important that we set personal boundaries for ourselves and stick to them no matter how difficult it might be. Boundaries allow us to know our limits and allow us to be true to ourselves, like saying “no” to the small stuff that do not make you happy will make it easier to say “no” to the bigger stuff later down the line.

In all personal growth, tough conversations are required and, therefore, are another important aspect of self-care. Having tough conversations with ourselves allows us to better understand ourselves as well as equips us to be able to express our emotions to those around us. Tough conversations allow us to understand ourselves a little more and allow us more grace and kindness towards ourselves.

Lastly, I would say putting oneself first is also an act of self-care. This might be easier said than done especially when it feels like the whole world rests on your shoulders, however when we take the time out to implement boundaries, have those tough conversations with self and take accountability for ourselves, putting oneself first would come easier, so that we are able to be the best version of ourselves not just for ourselves but for the people around us as well.

At the end of the day you are already with the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with…

Make sure that they are happy.

The Author: Tracy-lee Kaleb (Humanitas Intern)

Here is a little bit more about her: 

My name is Tracy-lee Kaleb, I am 26 years of age. I completed my Bachelors of Social Science majoring in Psychology and Criminology at Monash University in 2019. In 2022 I registered my own non-profit organization called ALL4ONE ONE4ALL which aims to assist people from all walks of life and assists in making a difference in their lives no matter how small of a difference it might be.

I am very passionate about helping people reach their full potential and assisting them with healing, growth and living life to the fullest no matter what the situation/ circumstances are.

One of my favorite quotes that I live by is “ We are all a little broken. But last time I checked, broken crayons still color the same.”- Trent Shelton. I like this quote because if proves that no matter what you might have gone through or what you might be going through your  story is still worth telling and that being broken doesn’t mean you can’t create a masterpiece.