I've thought about self-care so much this year, from hosting a read-along of Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin for friends last spring to working with clients on their self-care practices to getting My Inner Harbour up and running. So I thought it would be helpful for me to actual capture how I practiced what I preached this year. 

Here are 5 ways I practiced my own self-care this year:

1. Limited screen time (thank you ScreenZen app) and read more novels. I love reading and it was so good for me to spend more of my evenings enjoying a good story vs. scrolling. 

2. Moved my body as often as I could, whether through dancing in the kitchen while making dinner, going for a walk with a friend or working out at home or with my trainer. Also got to do a kayak trip with my dad that was amazing! 

3. Prioritized time with friends! My husband and I both highly value friendships and work to support each others' ability to get out of the house and spend time with them. Friends are critical and I loved every coffee date, book club meeting, pickleball game, and impromptu hang out. Highlight: the Garden Party with a dash of poetry I hosted this summer. 

4. Regular spiritual direction. Similar to therapy, spiritual direction is about listening deeply to your life in the presence of a compassionate witness. That one hour with my spiritual director every month gives me a container to examine how I'm really doing, make space for all my various experiences and emotions and practice grounding. 

5. Permission to slow down. I regularly give myself permission to slow down and not accomplish all the things on my to-do list in favour of actually savouring time in the garden, playing a game with my kids, getting out to the beach or taking a nap! Is it easy? No, that's why I have to repeat myself regularly! Is it worth it? Every time. 

What about you? How have you cared for yourself this year?