5 Signs of NOT Taking Good Care (of Yourself)

taking care of yourself with yoga

Last month I wrote about recovery and since then I had another opportunity to learn and grow, (aka practice resilience). I required laser eye surgery for a torn retina, which can be literally blinding if not attended to, and the brief procedure was uncomfortable but painless.  The recovery was another story.

I was instructed to rest my eyes and not read anything for 2 days and refrain from strenuous activity for 7. No big deal, I could handle a couple of days of unplugging and a week without yoga, right? By day 5, (when I finally started to feel like myself again), I completely overdid it, which sent me right back to a dark room, eyes closed and filled with frustration.

At first, I obsessed about all the things I couldn’t get done with this set-back and then I started ruminating on everyone and everything else which served as a convenient distraction to the real problem: I had not taken care of myself and I was not showing up the way I wanted to.

5 Signs of NOT Taking Good Care

  1. Unwarranted fears regarding money about everything from my car payment to the veterinarian bill.
  2. Picking at my fiancee, focusing on how he should fix a window faster or market his business better.
  3. Complaining about even the fun things I have to do, like meet a friend for lunch, or hike in the mountains, because I am too busy.
  4. Ridiculous impatience with myself and everyone else because it’s all taking so long.
  5. Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep because I am so wound up from all of the above.

Do any of these sound familiar to you?  Not taking care of ourselves is the selfish practice that keeps us distracted, stuck and miserable. When we feel too busy or too anything else not to take good care, we can’t show up as our best.

This may seem obvious to you, but knowing it is not doing it. The next time you find yourself worrying, picking, complaining, impatient or not sleeping, try looking no further than yourself to take good care.

15 Comments

  1. Renee' Shuman on July 2, 2019 at 1:25 pm

    I wish I’d had this insight in my toolbox during my son’s wedding last weekend-ha ha. When I took a moment to pause, pray and pursue joy, things took a lovely turn . This would’ve helped me get there faster though.

    • Diane Sieg on July 2, 2019 at 2:51 pm

      Hi Renee,
      Yes, pause, pray and pursue joy are perfect practices of self care! Good for you and you will get there faster next time.

  2. Leona I Stute on July 2, 2019 at 2:53 pm

    Oh, how true. We seem to be our own worst enemy. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

  3. Kathryn Lamb on July 2, 2019 at 3:01 pm

    Diane,

    Very best wishes to you and your family, for a most wonderful wedding celebration.
    My wish for you is that the time does not seem to pass too quickly, you have time to enjoy the day, or days!
    There are sure to be memorable events of every kind 🙂

    Sincerely,
    Kathryn

    • Diane Sieg on July 2, 2019 at 3:08 pm

      Thank you so much Kathryn for your wise wishes. I really appreciate them.

  4. Mary Pat DeWald on July 2, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    Diane, I love the phrase, “pause, pray, and pursue joy.” I do my best to practice self care and incorporate daily mantras of positivism on my happiness journey,

    I wish you the BEST on your upcoming wedding! It will be such a special time for you.

    • Diane Sieg on July 2, 2019 at 9:52 pm

      Hi Mary Pat,

      I love that phrase too! Thank you for your well wishes, it is a special time!

  5. Barbara McNichol on July 2, 2019 at 7:30 pm

    Diane
    Congrats and many joys to you and your fiance. You make a big difference in this world!
    Barbara

    • Diane Sieg on July 2, 2019 at 9:53 pm

      Thank you so much Barbara. You make a big difference too!

  6. Sandy Torres on July 2, 2019 at 7:42 pm

    Hello Diane and thank you for the gentle reminder, of taking care of ourselves. I’ve had to step back many times as well this past year and reflect on what is most important.
    Warmest of wishes to you and Neil during this very special time and congratulations! Enjoy every moment.

    Hugs & hope to see you all again soon,
    Sandy

    • Diane Sieg on July 2, 2019 at 9:54 pm

      Thank you so much, Sandy. Yes, I intend to enjoy every moment and I hope you can join us for our next retreat!

  7. ann whitcomb on July 3, 2019 at 12:47 am

    I wish you and Neil much love and joy at your wedding and forever after. Pause, pray and pursue joy is my new everyday mantra. Thank you!
    Ann

    • Diane Sieg on July 3, 2019 at 2:46 pm

      Thank you so much Ann! I love your new mantra too!

  8. Kim Wolinski on July 3, 2019 at 5:31 am

    Ahhh, being human!!!

    Big hugs to your eye and to you, Diane!

    Kim

    • Diane Sieg on July 3, 2019 at 2:45 pm

      Thank you so much, Kim! And, how wonderful to remember we are all human, thank goodness!

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