Self-caring for success

By Olecia Christie

"Olecia, I feel stuck," a friend of mine once told me. I saw a familiar, relatable pain across her face. The truth is, I had been there before, and there was no guarantee I wouldn't get there again.

I thought of all the things I could tell her but opted to listen instead. I asked one question, “how will you get unstuck?" She shared all the things she had tried. She was frustrated with the pace of her career and had lost her passion for her job. She talked for hours, and I found myself enthralled by her self-awareness. She knew she needed to make a change in her life; she just had no idea where to begin. A feeling I knew all too well.

After a long chat, I asked her about her self-care practices. Her response was typical of most hardworking women. It had been a long time she had thought about herself. Self-care is a deliberate attempt to focus on one's self to preserve and improve one's overall health. For some of us, it comes naturally. For others, it requires action planning. Here are some of my favorite tips from my self-care guide that will help you nourish your mind, soul, and body for success:

TIPS FROM OC'S SELF-CARE GUIDE:

Luxuriate on a budget - As women, we sometimes find it difficult to prioritize ourselves. The demands of life set us back, and it seems almost selfish to think about taking time for ourselves. Well, there are some simple cheat habits you can practice for self-care. For me, I create spaces of comfort in my home where I go to be one with myself and my thoughts. It doesn't need to be super fancy; get some candles, a comfy pillow, a soft throw and a cup of your favorite beverage and luxuriate on a budget in the comfort of your own home.

Find a (girl) tribe - Having a group of friends and mentors you lean on is an essential part of self-care. A good tribe will hold you accountable and will help build your confidence. If you are struggling in an area of your life, find a tribe member who survived that area of conflict. You will be amazed at how you will benefit from the mindshare of those who are different from you. Imagine the conversations of a naval officer, a corporate attorney who served the International Criminal Court, a Brazilian marketing professional, a free-spirited, Italian American marketer, and a Jamaican born, Canadian Stakeholder Relations Administrator. I can tell you one thing for sure; our differences unite us more than they divide us. 

Express yourself - What my friend did not realize is that by sharing her discomfort, she was actively practicing an essential form of self-care. I enjoyed watching her ramble on for hours. I observed every expression and how the frown lines that had crept upon her face in recent times seemed to disappear as she threw her head back in unshackled laughter. She was freeing herself with a friendly take on talking therapy.

Give it a try.