WHY YOU MIGHT BE NEGLECTING SELF CARE…

In order to cultivate self-love, we must intentionally and consistently build our self-esteem through proper self-care. Yet, many of us skip this essential step that allows us to flourish. Here are some possible reasons why, in no particular order...

It might be low self esteem, sis…

Or bro. Sorry to start off like this, but let's just get it out the way. People who are overly critical of themselves or have low self-worth often avoid self-care or don't see it as a priority. I mean why bother, right? Why put in the extra work, if I feel like s*** anyway? I’ve been there before and it’s not a good feeling. But the more we stay in a rut, the more we will stay in a rut. Does that make sense? The more we allow ourselves to sink into a mess both internally and physically, the worse our self-esteem will become. It will be a cycle you wish you could escape, but haven't yet built the strength to break. Though we don’t like to admit it, the way we look affects the way we feel, and the way we feel affects the way we look.

Feeling guilty, perhaps?

Putting others first is common, especially for those with children or those accustomed to caring for others due to their life or work situations. However, prioritizing self-care can sometimes lead to feelings of guilt, as we may feel selfish for attending to our own needs.

But what is truly selfish is giving only 50% of ourselves to everyone because we haven’t been able to give 100% to ourselves. Even when we think we are giving our all to others, the truth is that we are only as good to people as we are to ourselves. This negligence can build resentment toward those we care for, although it's a decision we make entirely on our own.

It’s just never enough time.

...or that's how it can feel a lot of the time. Life gets busy, and self-care gets put on the bottom of the priority list when things that seem more important aren't yet finished. There will always be something that has to get done, so set that time aside for yourself anyway.

It's okay to work, but not if it's to your detriment. I mean, you are human, for goodness' sake, not a robot. It's a disservice to yourself to work nonstop and not give yourself any downtime to the point of feeling burnt out, and ultimately looking like it, too.

Change is hard..like really hard.

Self-care necessitates changes in your life. Such changes demand hard work and discipline, which is not easy at all. While making small alterations to your daily routine may seem tedious at times, trust that the results are worthwhile in the end!

You just don’t understand..

Many people view self-care as frivolous spending, instead of recognizing it for what it is, as an investment in oneself. You are, in fact, an investment, and with any investment, comes a return. If people don't understand the best and most beneficial forms of self-care, they are less likely to make it a regular practice.

Your environment sucks

We might have grown comfortable with our environment and don’t even realize that it is affecting our mood and behaviors. You might not be happy with your current living situation, which can cause depression and complacency. Or you may be surrounded by people who also do not prioritize self-care and believe this is normal.

A lack of planning

It's natural to only focus on self-care when feeling stressed and overwhelmed. However, addressing it at that point is often not as effective. Instead, incorporate self-care into your daily routine. Make it a lifestyle.

You just don’t feel like it…

It could be due to laziness or simply your feelings. Our bodies may not know what they are feeling, but they are feeling something. Being in a constant routine of neglecting our well-being can become such a burden that we end up in an endless cycle. It simply feels like too much effort to try to do better, and that, my friend, is a horrible place to stay.