Self-Care Starts with You: Recharge, Reframe, & Connect

You are the driving force behind your life. If you don’t regularly refuel and maintain that force, it becomes harder to move forward effectively.

That’s where self-care comes in. It renews your energy, offers respite, and gives you space to reset your mindset. Most importantly, it equips you with the strength and clarity to support others.

At the heart of self-care is self-compassion. Without it, sustaining healthy habits becomes difficult. You might not even believe you’re worthy of care.

Self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer a friend. It means recognizing your efforts and acknowledging that doing your best is enough.

In today’s fast-paced world, adding self-care and self-compassion to your daily routine is not just helpful; it’s necessary. Here are five practical ways to foster both:

1. Prioritize Self-Care with Intention

In busy or uncertain times, self-care is often the first thing to go. To keep it a consistent part of your routine, approach it with purpose. Think about what genuinely restores you—activities, places, times of day—and intentionally build them into your life.

Also, challenge old assumptions about what self-care “should” look like. If your usual morning walk doesn’t fit into your new schedule, try a midday stretch or a quiet moment before bed. Flexibility and creativity are key.

2. Identify and Replace Negative Thoughts and Self-Talk

When negative thoughts become background noise, they can wear down your resilience. They shape how you see yourself and what you believe you deserve.

Tune into your inner dialogue. Write down negative thoughts as they come. Then, try to replace them with kinder thoughts. Imagine speaking to yourself as you would to a close friend—kindly, with empathy and encouragement.

3. Shift Your Perspective Intentionally

Reframing is a powerful mental habit. Consider how a healthcare worker might find strength in helping others despite difficult conditions. They focus on meaning and courage rather than hardship. You can do the same by asking, “Is there another way to view this situation?”

A simple technique is using “Yes, and…” statements:

“Yes, today was overwhelming. And I still managed to connect with people who needed me.”
“Yes, I’m tired. And I’m learning what truly matters to me.”

4. Embrace a Mindset of Exploration in a New Situation

Seeing yourself as an explorer can help reframe perceived failures. Explorers try, fail, adapt, and grow. When things don’t go as planned, it’s not failure—it’s feedback. It’s part of the process.

Adopting this mindset encourages curiosity and self-acceptance. It reminds you that progress isn’t always linear, and learning is just as valuable as success.

5. Redefine Care Through a New Normal Around Caring

We often ask, “How are you?” but seldom invite a genuine response. Now is a time to create a deeper culture of care with those around you—family, friends, colleagues.

Start asking more meaningful questions: “What’s been tough lately?” or “What are you doing to take care of yourself today?” Shared reflection helps everyone feel seen and supported, and it creates a collective commitment to well-being.

Self-Care Is a Shared Responsibility

Self-care isn’t just a solo act—it’s something we do with and for each other. It spans emotional, physical, professional, and relational dimensions. Think of it as both a personal and a team commitment. By including self-compassion and self-care in our lives, we build resilience both individually and as a group.

Sources:
https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/self-care-and-compassion

Disclosure: 

This information is an overview and should not be considered as specific guidance or recommendations for any individual or business.

This material is provided as a courtesy and for educational purposes only.

These are the views of the author, not the named Representative or Advisory Services Network, LLC, and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named Representative nor Advisory Services Network, LLC gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your Financial Advisor for further information.