I’m currently taking an advanced coaching course that involves a lot of self-work. My course mates and I are doing a lot of “onion peeling.” Think of it as my becoming the best me possible so that I can better coach you. Last week the instructor asked what we’ve been doing to practice self-care.
Um. Er. Um.
I couldn’t think of an answer.
Ever since fall gardening season ended a few weeks ago, I haven’t done anything that really feeds my soul. I do a lot of things that are good for me, but nurturing as taken a back seat to the business that is so often a part of the Christmas season.
Last week I took a day off from both my coaching business and my fundraising job. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with all of the free time. I’m a member of a local Massage Envy and hubs reminded me I didn’t get my monthly massage in November and had not yet had one this month and he suggested I get one. Once I recovered from the fainting spell that resulted from this reminder, I called and booked an appointment.
When I walked into the waiting room I saw two ladies who appeared to be in their 70s waiting for their appointments. Something struck me. I’ve been going to Massage Envy for a couple of years and I don’t recall ever seeing a client in that age bracket. Now, I’m sure the 70s set go there often, I’ve just never witnessed it.
One of the ladies told me she’d recently retired and she’s having trouble figuring out what to do with herself. “Retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” she said. When I get there I hope to prove her wrong.
Anyway, I enjoyed seeing two women about twenty years my senior practicing self-care. They get it. They understand that there’s nothing selfish about putting themselves at the top of the list and by doing so, they can put their best selves out there for others.
I want to be like those two ladies when I grow up. I think I’ll start emulating them now.
482gr8 