There is a new kid on the block.
In fact, a new craze, also known as extreme self-care.
Is it good for us ?
Do we need it ?
Read on, then decide for yourself......
Granny Smith tells the following story - and no, I am not talking about an apple !
" Hello, my name is Granny Smith and I recently dipped my toe into the ocean of extreme self-care.
After a particularly bad relationship breakup, I immediately felt the need to make myself at least 20 cups of chamomile tea. I could hardly bear the stress and the trauma, and chamomile was exactly what I needed in order to keep me going. Think soothing, think calming - and yes, you've got it!
Whilst I was sitting at home on a mild autumn Sunday, all snuggled up in my nice velvet armchair and sipping away on my chamomile tea, it suddenly appeared to me that I really fancied a great big piece of chocolate cake to go with my drink.
And why not ? After all, I had a lot to cope with!
Plus I had to face the truth. The whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
I had to face it - and even worse - deal with it .
How ? I had no idea !
I had to try SOMETHING.
Maybe just start with the basics :
Take a deep breath . Calm down.
And compose - myself that is, not a requiem.
Aahhh...feeling a bit better already.
So what did I have to do now ? Oh, I remember, face the facts.
So this was it :
I was on my own.
All alone.
Abandoned.
And dead.
What ???
Oh sorry I was exaggerating a tiny little bit.
But death aside - one thing was clear, in fact , it was crystal clear.
I HAD to take care of myself.
NOW. Or pretty soon. Definitely sooner rather than later. Who else would ?
Extreme self-care was the word baby.
After carrying on with the whole caring for myself thing for a while, I started to seriously enjoy it. In fact, I absolutely loved it!
Moreover, I was under the impression that a middle-aged, middle - class aromatherapist rubbing oils into my back on a weekly basis was the ultimate upgrade of my once so stressful and cruel existence.
This new philosophy was certainly working for me ! I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders - at last !
I decided that I was going to be kind to myself - once and for all.
No more pushing myself at my job, no more unnecessary goal setting .
One day I was going to die anyway - and could I take my wealth, achievements and diplomas with me ?
Duh?? OF COURSE NOT !
So what was the point of struggling ? There simply was no point.
I started to live by the motto "enjoy life whilst it lasts"...and boy - I did!
Cakes, Ice Cream, Champagne, Chocolate, easy jobs, early nights and no responsibility. None.
No more bloody dating either - after all I had to protect myself from ever getting hurt again !
No more dental appointments - physical pain was at least as bad for me as emotional pain !
Instead - lots of cozy nights in with takeaways and my favorite television programmes. Yipeeeh!
And lots of shopping. On credit cards - stopped me from having to earn in the first place! And more shopping.
Last but not least, no more ironing, hoovering or any other hard and unnecessary chores around the house. After all, I wasn't a cleaner!!!
I actually had another great idea :
No more slaving away over the cooker ! Surely the microwave would do ? I had to be careful not to wear myself out after all !
But - shock horror - one day something awful happened !
I WOKE UP...OLD, FAT, ILL, LONELY AND BROKE.
Even worse - my house was a mess and I couldn't even find my hairbrush........and I seemed to have misplaced my brain as well...oh dear - what had happened ? Everything seemed to have fallen apart around me....... !"
Oooops !
What had happened here ? This isn't a nice story ! It's depressing !
Had poor old Granny Smith lost the plot ?
I am afraid the answer is a big and loud YES !
And Vanessa, why was she suddenly so old ?
She had taken all the pampering and looking after herself too far! And let time pass by.
But Vanessa, she had taken care of herself !
REALLY ???
Would you spoil your children so much that they end up being totally incapable of leading their own lives ?
Of course not. So why would you want to do this to yourself ???
Let me ask you a question :
What CAN - and should we do to look after ourselves ?
Sweep the floor once in a while ?
Maybe.
Keep going ?
Definitely.
Be strong ?
Yes.
In fact, be kind, yet firm with ourselves.
And keep believing in ourselves - and others.
Never give up.
Never give in.
Change our approach until things work.
Always go for our dreams.
And give ourselves a LITTLE treat once in a while. Plus a pet on our own back when things are going well.
But should we do the whole Granny Smith thing ?
I don't think so !
Maybe self-improvement doesn't require all the cakes and massages.
Maybe it simply requires one pair of new shoes. And a chat with a good friend.
Plus a small shift in your mindset.
Hmmmm..until next time.....
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