To quickly review the past couple weeks, reparenting is a method for nurturing our self-connection. It entails quieting the inner critic and embracing oneself with both respect and compassion. By prioritizing our own needs, we come to understand that the relationship we hold with ourselves is paramount, as it ripples out and influences all other relationships in our lives.

You know you need reparenting if you break promises with yourself time after time, feel unworthy or inadequate, make decisions driven by fear rather than purpose, find yourself in unhealthy and unsatisfying relationship dynamics, struggle to set or uphold healthy boundaries, and feel a lack of attunement to your own needs, wants, and passions.

This week we are focusing on the pillar of self-care, which intertwines with the practice of loving self discipline. True self-care is foundational to your overall well-being. It’s about recognizing and addressing your needs while appreciating your inherent worth. Remember, self-care isn’t indulgent; it’s essential. For additional insights into identifying and fulfilling your needs, consider exploring the episode on the gestalt concept of the awareness and contact cycle.

Often we are not taught the importance of self-care, or we receive messages suggesting that self-care is selfish. Consequently, you may have internalized beliefs suggesting you’re unworthy or undeserving of meeting your own needs. When we neglect our needs, they come out sideways – often outside of our level of awareness. We might feel resentment towards others for not meeting our unspoken needs, as we may be hesitant to ask, or simply because we’re tired or hangry, leading us to react impatiently with those we care about the most.

In essence, tending to our needs benefits not only ourselves but also those around us, allowing us to fully engage. We learn the skill of expressing our wants and needs, while remaining open to the possibility of hearing a no or finding an alternative solution of how to get them met. Rather than  arriving at interactions depleted and expecting or even desperately grasping at others to fulfill our needs, we approach them already feeling loved and fulfilled.

When considering self-care, prioritize elements such as restorative sleep, engaging in physical activity and relaxation, nourishing your body with proper nutrition, dedicating time to connect with yourself during moments of relaxation, fostering social connections, and immersing yourself in nature or spiritual practices, whether it be with God, the Divine Universe, or any other religious or spiritual source you resonate with.

This week’s teachable takeaway is to incorporate one self-care activity into your daily routine, whether it’s something significant or small. Tune in to learn further insights into this crucial second pillar of reparenting your inner child. Feel free to share in the comments how you’re choosing to prioritize self-care. I’m looking forward to hearing about the ways you’re showing yourself love and any helpful life hacks you’ve discovered to make self-care a priority!