Taking Care of You First

Hi and Welcome back to The Art of Onward!

Happy International Women's Day!!

Because it's Women's Day today, let's discuss the thing - THAT thing - that somehow continues to elude us women. Oh yes, we know we should do this, we know we are stronger and better able to shine in our worlds when we do this, and yet - YET - we continue to put our self care on the back burner. So let's take a few purposeful steps toward some simple ways we can take care of ourselves ...

Building on the Self Love Theme, let's take a look at how we can expand on how we can continue to show ourselves the love we deserve. These ideas, as always, as based on my own journey, and the steps I've taken or am taking toward a stronger and more whole me.

~ Take time to nurture your Spiritual Self. We all have the Divine within us, slate time at the start of your day and again time at the end of your day to meditate/pray and read what inspires and empowers you.

~ Make the effort to nurture your Physical Body. Because mind and body are absolutely connected, remember when we add nutrients to our physical being, we are also nurturing our inner selves. Aren't you proud of yourself when, at the end of the day, you can truly say, today I took good care of my body? I am. When I know I've added uncontaminated foods to my nutrition, like fresh vegetables and fruit, and I've eliminated chemicals from my bodily intake, I don't just feel good physically, I feel GOOD spiritually too! So here's your reminder - check those labels, and if you're finding artificial ANYTHING in there, decide for your self, you don't need it, your body doesn't need it.

~ Care for your Mental Wellbeing. Our surroundings affect our mental state. The air we take in to our bodies has an affect on our mental state (body too, of course) ... I have learned how to feed my mental state throughout the days. Realizing I need to prioritize my wellbeing, I purchased several diffusers and have continuous oils spreading their health benefits to my mind and body throughout the day.

Uplifting Oils:

Lemongrass - refreshing, stimulating, rejuvenating, inspiring, and balancing

Citrus - like lemon and orange - these offer instant mood boosters

Mind Oils:

Rosemary strengthens clarity, memory, insight and mental capacity - a huge help with regaining my mind during recovery

Jasmine - relaxes the mind and boosts self confidence (who knew!? Wow, huh!?)

Balsam Fir - helps to balance mood and promotes spirituality

Meditation Oils:

Frankincense

Ylang Ylang - relaxes the mind, balances emotions, even inspires feelings of romance!

Of course there are many more oils that help with many different needs. I like to play with combinations, especially where the uplifting benefits can be reaped.

As Part of your self care routine, this is an easy thing to do - takes about 15 seconds to refill a diffuser every morning and add a few drops of your oils.

Set your intention for the day, and choose oils based on which ones can carry you toward that purpose.

Be careful not to add chemicals inadvertently though, this will cause more harm than good. Once I realized the oils I'd been using were filled with chemicals, I went on the hunt for oils of integrity.

My home needs to be my Sanctuary. My body, my mind, my soul, are sanctuaries that need respectful nurturing and care on an ongoing basis.

I found Young Living Essential Oils - they actually grow their own seeds on farms around the world, and oversee the entire process. Not a chemical in sight! They offer the organic Seed to Seal guarantee.

I was so excited to find them, I signed up as a member :) .... it's free to sign up, Young Living offers rewards, and I know what I'm putting in to my lungs is pure and healthy.

I also found their purity allows me to use less drops than the other oils I'd been using. So I, being the bargain hunter I am, am really happy to have found a company with such thoughtful integrity.

If you're ready to take your self care to the next level, surrounding yourself with health for body and mind, here's a link where you can sign up easily for free, and begin your own oil discovery journey, and feed your mind/body wellbeing throughout the days. (They sell diffusers too if you don't already have one)

Here's a shot of my recent delivery - I call these my Mental Health Soldiers :)

(I receive a small commission on sales via this link - I promised you I'd only share what has worked for me first - and these really have helped me, and, as I write this, I'm right next to my lemongrass/rosemary filled diffuser)

Click Here if you'd like to purchase your own soldiers :)

It's time to take of YOUR YOU. The better we take care of our SELVES, the BRIGHTER we can shine to and for those around us ... from our children, our partners, co-workers, and the grocery store clerks.

Self Love and Self Care are begging to be a priority for us - especially us women for some reason! We get so busy caring for our peeps, let's put some of that energy toward caring for our selves - you'll see, you'll have more to give as a result.

Please comment on this post and let me know how you like to strengthen your self care! Would love to hear your ideas and thoughts!!

Love, Light, Strength and Courage for Your Journey

~Jewelle