Feeling Under Assault? It’s Time to Prioritize Self-Care
Dr. Nicole L. Yeldell Butts
Organizational Culture Strategist | Keynote Speaker | Executive Coach | Author
My emotional, mental, psychological, and spiritual well-being have been under assault. Just as I rise to brush myself off, I am under attack again, enduring blow after blow after blow. At times, I feel the urge to retreat, but my work demands engagement. So how do I stay engaged? How do I protect my well-being while continually feeling under siege?
I’ve learned to surrender to the universal truth that self-care is not just a right but an obligation. To be fully present for my work and the people whose lives I touch, it is my duty to care for myself. I cannot pour from an empty cup, and I am the only one who can keep my cup full. If I fail in this, I have nothing to give to my work or the world.
With this realization, I have made an intentional commitment to my own self-care. You must, too. My self-care focuses on three key areas:
Protecting My Spirit
One practice I’ve adopted to protect my spirit is avoiding starting or ending my day with the news. Beginning my day with the news often leaves me feeling overwhelmed, negative, and powerless. Watching the news at night disrupts my rest, as I dream about the unsettling stories I’ve consumed. Instead, I choose how and when to engage with current events by reading reputable news sources. This allows me to process information on my terms, without the jarring visuals and disorienting shifts of televised news.
Televised news programs often jump abruptly from tragedy to triviality—from scenes of devastation to lighthearted celebrity updates. In the current 2024 post-election news cycle, this might involve transitioning from in-depth analysis of voter turnout and campaign strategies to debates over the influence of social media, commentary on cabinet appointments, or accusations of “fake news” and partisan bias. This spectacle of showboating and one-upmanship distracts from the facts, minimizing the weight of serious stories while amplifying the significance of minor ones. It’s like being bombarded by strobe lights, leaving me disoriented and emotionally off-balance. By reading the news, I can focus on what matters, digest information at my own pace, and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Nurturing My Spirit
To nurture my spirit, I take silent walks in the morning. During these walks, I avoid talking, music, or podcasts. The quiet of pre-dawn or dawn, accompanied by the chirping of birds, creates a serene environment. I greet fellow early risers with kind words, and these simple interactions uplift my mood. These walks leave me feeling productive, centered, and ready to engage joyfully with the day.
Embracing Joy
Joy is essential for replenishing my spirit. One source of joy for me is watching Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy. The stunning scenery, delicious food, engaging storytelling, and Stanley’s charming personality bring a smile to my face. This show reminds me of my travels to Italy and fills me with excitement for future adventures. It’s the last thing I watch before bed, ensuring I end my day in a positive frame of mind. Another simple joy I embrace is caring for my plants. This is new as I only started bringing live plants into my home during COVID.? But now my home is filled with greenery and orchids and I sincerely enjoy nurturing them.
Your Path to Self-Care
Your self-care practices may differ, but the principles remain the same. Self-care is about intentionally:
The key word is intentional. Protecting, nurturing, and embracing joy are deliberate acts—not random or accidental. Let me make a bold statement: guilty pleasures do not count. The guilt associated with them negates their nurturing potential. If something brings you joy, don’t label it a guilty pleasure. Own it. Engage with it intentionally and without shame.
Call to Action
Take a moment today to reflect on your own self-care practices. Are you protecting your spirit from negativity? Are you nurturing your spirit with activities that center and ground you? Are you embracing joy in ways that bring genuine happiness? Write down three specific actions you can take this week to prioritize your self-care.
Reflection Questions
Surrender to the universal truth that self-care is your right and obligation. It is not selfish; it is an act of honoring yourself and your purpose. To serve your purpose and pour into your work and the lives you touch, your cup must be full. To keep it full, intentionally protect and nurture your spirit and embrace joy.