DAY 1: The Check-Up

There’s been lots of talk lately about self-care. It seems that amid the global pandemic, self-care has become a trending topic. The world is more accepting of individuals taking more breaks, breathing more freely, and reflecting more regularly, and I think there are many reasons for that.

But first, I want to tell you what it means to me because you might be able to relate.

I don’t see myself in parts; I see myself as a whole. Or should I say, I am a continuum of parts that make up a whole—meaning I am one human being living out different parts of myself, each co-existing and one doesn’t have to be isolated for the others to be present. Though it is common to describe ourselves in parts, there’s a much better way of seeing ourselves as being a whole.

It's kind of like the calm or timid person who says they have a wild side, or the extreme dieter who restricts their eating but loves to have a cheat day filled with junk food as a guilty pleasure, or the religious rule follower who might get a little rebellious from time to time. Same person at their core, simply made of different parts. And when you get to know your parts, you can strive to unite them all to have a much stronger sense of self and therefore have a better and more attuned ability to feed yourself the care you need or to seek after it.

Self-care isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a vital practice.

I once had a friend ask me: “Aerial, what do you do for yourself?”

I paused, realizing my self-care routine was mostly surface-level. I enjoyed my pedicures and workout sessions, but I lacked deeper self-care practices.

The pandemic forced me to reassess my habits, prompting the question: How well am I caring for myself?

How about you?

Has the stress of recent years prompted you to reflect on your self-care?

It might be time for a check-up.

Reflect on these questions:

1. How have you taken the time to assess your self-care?
2. Who are the people in your life who can help you recognize and honor the need for self-care?
3. What activities pre-COVID felt indulgent yet now feel mandatory?

Affirm and declare these statements:

• I value myself and every part of me that needs care and attention.
• In Christ's love, I am worthy of compassion and self-care.
• God's grace empowers me to prioritize my well-being because I am His beloved.

Pray in petition to God to pursue His will and way.