What Self-Care Really Means (its more than bubble baths and yoga) - When I Grow Up

What Self-Care Really Means (its more than bubble baths and yoga) - When I Grow Up Its the start of Self-Care week on The Declaration of You BlogLovin Tour, and theres just soooooooo much to discuss. Personally, Self-Care has been my nemesis for so long the thing that beckoned me, that teased me, that flirted with me and has often remained out of my grasp that its something thats on my mind on a consistent basis. A few weeks back I found myself talking about it (for seemingly the 42nd time) with my coach as well as a client or two, and I had a bit of an epiphany. I know intelligently that Self-Care means Things That Are Good For Me: more exercise, getting into a meditation practice, regular bubble baths, etc. Yknow, those things that are relaxing and fun and good for your general good health. But during this particular week, Self-Care showed up through music and writing and performance. It just felt so damn important in a way that hadnt in a long, long time. All of a sudden, it wasnt about the small things that I could do in 15 minutes, or even just The Things That Make Me Feel Good. It was about expression. It was about passion. It was about longing. It was about identity. I was instantly in the shoes of so many of my clients, knowing something isnt productive or doesnt matter in The Grand Scheme of Things, in Our Grown-Up Lives where anything that isnt providing for our families should be squished down down down. I started hearing my own excuses like I was outside of myself. Its impossible to audition here if youre not pursuing acting professionally. I have too much on my plate to add anything else to it. If I dont want to make it my career its not worth doing. All of a sudden, I gave myself permission to give that side of me that calling my full attention. I dusted off the cabaret show I wrote a few months ago spent a few hours playing with my uke Lucille. I sent emails looking for a space to perform in this August/September, and found my way to the NY Funny Songs Fest. I signed up for 2 workshops the very next day and performed in front of a small group of my classmates. While I know I sometimes feel stretched too thin, Music and Performing is all of a sudden a big priority mentally, physically, emotionally. Its the meaning of Self-Care: what I need to do to Take Care of Myself. Ive been denying it to myself for too long. I need to get back to the biggest form of self-expression creativity I have. I need to go back to the the theater, with my uke Lucille, my sense of humor, and the big mix/belt thats dying to be released. Its really empowering to have it sink in that performing isnt a superficial thing for me. Its a major player in how good and authentic and connected I feel. Coming Soon to a performance space in NYC: Boob Cancer and Show Tunes, my one-woman show. If you want our Declaration of You videos around Self-Care for further thought/discussion, you can find em here (me + Jess), here (me + Jess + Jonathan Fields) here (me + Jess + Natalia KW). What does self-care inherently mean to you? What have you been missing? What is your body/mind/soul yearning for that youre making excuses for?