We often hear about self-care as if it’s another chore – get a massage, a mani/pedi, your hair done, or go on date nights. And don’t get me wrong, these are wonderful and important. But today, let’s expand our understanding of self-care beyond the conventional (and sometimes expensive) practices.

Set Healthy and Loving Boundaries

Boundaries are one of the most powerful forms of self-care. When we think of self-care, we often imagine physical pampering – facials, massages, and the like. While those are lovely, let’s also consider caring for our emotions, energy, attention, and bandwidth.

Think about it – we all have that one person who leaves us feeling drained. Or perhaps you spend hours scrolling through Instagram, only to end up feeling anxious or less than. Maybe you’re always going at 100mph and then wonder why you’re so exhausted. Setting boundaries around these areas is a profound act of self-care. Protecting your energy and attention is like creating a fence around your best self. For a deeper dive into this, check out episode 45 of my podcast.

Embrace Forgiveness

Forgiveness can be a tough pill to swallow, but holding onto unforgiveness is emotionally draining and exhausting. There’s likely someone in your life you need to forgive, and if no one comes to mind, maybe it’s yourself you need to forgive. Forgiveness isn’t about excusing bad behavior; it’s about releasing the burden you’ve been carrying.

Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. It doesn’t require the other person to know you’ve forgiven them. It’s about processing and releasing the pain, and embodying the decision to move on. Holding onto unforgiveness leads to resentment and bitterness, which is not a place from which you’ll thrive. If you’re ready to let go but unsure how, listen to episodes 16 and 17 of my podcast. Episode 17 even includes a powerful meditation to help you embody forgiveness and release old wounds.

Have Some Fun

One of my coaches always says that joy is the most bypassed human emotion, and I couldn’t agree more. We often think we don’t have time for joy and pleasure. Reflect on the last time you felt deep joy for more than a fleeting moment. For many of us, it’s a rare occurrence.

Joy is energizing and life-giving. It’s about more than just having fun; it’s about cultivating moments that make you feel truly alive. I’ve become so intentional about this that my word of the year is “joy.” I set joy alarms on my phone, and when they ring, I play a favorite song from my Joy playlist and dance like no one’s watching. It’s a practice that spills over into every aspect of my life – motherhood, marriage, work, and beyond. The more joy you have, the more it multiplies.

So yes, enjoy that mani/pedi and spa day, but also remember that true self-care goes deeper. Set boundaries, practice forgiveness, and make room for joy. These are the practices that will truly nourish your mind, body, and soul.

Have a question you’d love Michelle to answer on the podcast? “Ask Michelle a Question.” Click this link, record your message, hit send, and I’ll answer it in a future episode!