Self Care September reflections

Well, another September has flown past.  Thank you to all those who participated in Self Care September in some way - those who came to the workshop of September 1, the wild flower walk on September 30, classes in between, or who followed along with the Self Care September face book group.  Your feedback and encouraged was very appreciated.

Through the month, I practised the suggestion from my e-book every day, and every few days, shared a video of my tips and thoughts on the various mindful activities.

So what were my key take away thoughts this year?

Firstly, I realised that definitions are vital.  In the workshop we talked a lot about how I define Self Care as an intentional act to nourish all the layers of our being.  The layers of our being were discussed in the workshop and I have also discussed them here, but briefly they are:

• Our environment
• Our physical body
• Our pranic body (energy)
• Our heart/mind (thoughts and emotions)
• Our wisdom or stillness layer
• Our essence, or core that pervades throughout all the layers.

The self care practices were designed to nourish us throughout all those layers, not just focus on one aspect of ourselves, such as our mental well being, or physical health. But part of the definition was about making self care intentional.

This year, I discovered that setting a strong intention was so important to maintain the momentum for practising.  For those who struggled with the practices, it may have been this step that requires more attention.  To hold an intention is to make self care a priority, even if days are busy, and things are tough and our body is sick.

My second take away was there needs to be a balance between planned activities and spontaneous moments.  Often it is the small snatches of time where we can activate our intention to practice self care.  I emphasised brief or micro meditations this year, over the longer practices.  However having a longer practice at least once a week makes it more likely that the smaller practices will be available and effective for us.  Things like pausing for a moment of breath, or feeling the wind on your face, or intentionally rolling the shoulders, are all micro practices of self care.

Thirdly, I was reminded that mindfulness is about being open and curious at all times.  During our final day's walk where some of us came together to be guided through Belair national park, we paused often.  We looked at the small details of the native wildflowers that are so easy to walk straight on past.  We learnt how to identify a range of plants, but looking closely, by being curious, and by staying open.  This was a great lesson in mindfulness for me, and a great reminder that we can apply mindfulness to every activity in life.

I would love to hear your thoughts, not only on how the month went, but how you are going to maintain self care as a priority moving forward.
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The Self Care September group will remain on facebook and has a number of resources, including my various video thoughts and micro practices.  You are welcome to head over and have a look at any time.  Please give Banksia Yoga a like while you are there!