It's easy to come up with excuses as to why you don't practice self care. "I don't have time." "I don't have money." "I don't know how." "It's selfish." But the truth is, if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of anyone else. So, let's take a look at some of the most common excuses for not practicing self care, and what you can do instead.
Excuse #1: "I don't have time."
We all have the same 24 hours in a day, so we all have time for self care. It doesn't have to be a big production—even taking 10 minutes for yourself can make a world of difference. Maybe you take a few extra minutes in the shower to relax, or you spend 10 minutes meditating before bed. Whatever it is, find something that works for you and make the time for it.
Excuse #2: "I don't have money."
Self-care doesn't have to be expensive. There are plenty of free or low-cost options available, like walks in nature, cooking at home, or reading a good book. If you do want to spend money on self-care, there are many affordable alternatives as well, like a home manicure courtesy or the dollar store taking a YouTube yoga class. The important thing is to find something that makes you feel good and stick with it.
Excuse #3: "I don't know how."
Hello YouTube, Facebook, and Google. Not knowing how to practice self-care is not an excuse—it's an opportunity to learn something new! There are countless resources available on the internet and at your local library that can teach you more advanced self-care methods like how to meditate, cook healthy meals, exercise mindfully, and more.
Anyway, it's not rocket science it's about giving yourself permission to take a break and do something that benefits you and being present in the moment to allow yourself to enjoy that time. And that can be something you are quite proficient at like reading a book or walking with your dog.
Excuse #4: "It's selfish."
Nope, caring for yourself is not selfish—it's necessary. If you don't take care of yourself, eventually you won't be able to take care of anyone else. So make the time for self-care, and watch how much better you feel as a result. Yes I know it's corny but it's true.
Conclusion:
There are plenty of excuses as to why you might not be practicing self care, but none of them are good enough. It's important to make time for yourself so that you can be your best self for everyone else in your life. So find what works for you and commit to taking care of yourself—you deserve it!
