The Homage to Self-Care welcomes Jackie Walker’s perspective on self-care, relationships and self-love.
When Sandi asked me if I’d like to do a guest post on self-care, I jumped at the chance as this is exactly what I’ve been putting in place for 8 years now. In the process of learning, I’ve had hurdles, I’ve had setbacks, I’ve had jubilant moments of gloriousness.
It’s been a roller coaster of self-care. And that’s ok because if you even know that you’re on the roller coaster, you’re mastering the art of self-care!
Building a relationship with yourself is one of the hardest things to do. It seems counter intuitive at times, until you learn that it’s the whole point of your life. Everyone else and everything else is simply there to give you a chance to notice where you aren’t caring for and loving yourself.
There are so many tough lessons for us all to learn, until we realise how to make it easy on ourselves. A lot of that is down to resistance and perspective. Without resistance things flow. To stop resistance, change your perspective.
If only it were that simple!
I got into the world of personal development after my marriage broke down. Or, I’d be more correct in saying after I broke down in my marriage.
The people who show up in a relationship are often not themselves.
I wasn’t, and I’m sure you’ll have been in a relationship – business or personal – when you haven’t been yourself.
So if the person who isn’t showing up, then chooses to show up, it’s almost like an affair, there’s a third-party. Given that all day, everyday, you are relating to others, it would be extreme self-care to relate as you, the real you, the one you sometimes don’t like and would rather you’d left at home!
One of the things that used to stump me was knowing who I really was in order to be that person. When I started paying attention to my thoughts, my feelings and my body, I soon found what felt good and what didn’t.
I spent ages just getting to know when I was feeling naturally good, and when I was feeling unnaturally charged or drained. Unnaturally charged or drained seemed to come about through the wrong food, the wrong situations, the wrong company, the wrong words, the wrong answers etc. Following the advice in the rest of this glorious series, will give you starting points to help you find the natural you.
If you knew how to turn up as yourself in your relationship, what would that mean you had to start doing, or stop being?
I can almost sense little shivers of fear running through you as you realise that x, y and z would have to happen for it to be true. And ask yourself, for what reason would I let a third-party be involved with my partner?
If you want to have a loving relationship with someone else, and let’s face it, most of us do, then it starts at home, with you.
The degree to which anyone else can love you is only as high as you love yourself.
You’re unlikely to countenance an ongoing affair from your partner are you? If you want a relationship built on trust, start being yourself so that both you and your partner know who is doing the relating.
Start a love affair with yourself today and notice what falling in love is really about.
Thank you Sandi for inviting me to take part in this wonderful series, I’ve learned so much from the posts, and it’s been an honour to contribute x
I love how everyone has their own unique perspective to share when it comes to something universal like self-care. Your contribution Jackie, especially the part about falling in love with yourself, is the icing on the cake 🙂
THIS IS SOOOOO HARD! You know you can live your whole life and think you’re doing it “right” only to find out you’ve been walking on eggshells trying not to upset the apple cart! (How’s that for a mixed metaphor? LOL!) I’m not saying I’m really that aware of being duplicitous; however, the more secure I am in myself, the harder it gets to be around people who start” looking for the old” and she’s MIA!
What a journey!
Great thoughts to ponder today. As usual, just what I needed!
I love mixed metaphors! I was just pondering those who are looking for the old person the other day Betsy, and I’m working on a post to deal with them! So far I’ve got to the place where forgiveness of yourself (and them) works a treat, and if you have a cord cutting technique, that’s kind of useful – I use ho o’ponopono. There’s more though, I know that, and I’ve a feeling it’s mainly around boundaries, intention, and owning yourself from your heart.
This post rocks! Thanks so much Jackie Walker. You are one smart cookie.
Fave bit:
You’re unlikely to countenance an ongoing affair from your partner are you? If you want a relationship built on trust, start being yourself so that both you and your partner know who is doing the relating.
_ So TRUE! _
Lol … thank you! And so glad it hit the spot.
Fab Jackie, I love your line about The people who show up in a relationship are often not themselves. Quite often we are our best self for that situation and not true. That’s not to say we are fake or false, but showing just one facet of our diamond.
Oooo, I love that differentation Sarah, thank you! I’m going to ponder that a bit more too, as I’m thinking that it’s ok if it’s a facet, but it’s not so ok, if you won’t allow the whole diamond to be seen. What sprang to mind was a ring on my finger and I have to remember to clean it properly with a soft brush and soapy water for it to sparkle at its best.
And that’s where we have problems Jackie, we may not be polishing our diamond and we may need help in polishing it but not realise. I am thinking too much into diamonds now… 🙂
Sarah,
I love the idea that how we may be showing up is just one facet of the diamond. Makes it so much easier to forgive and move on.
Thanks Sandi x