We have a lot to learn about self-care from our children. As we grow into adults, we seem to forget how to have fun, but if we look at children, we can get some of that excitement back.
Dressing Up
When my daughter feels like putting on some nice clothes, and a necklace, she just does it. If it’s for daycare, I do make sure she’s properly dressed, but if she wants a skirt or dress, I let her have it. The only exception is if the day requires rougher clothes.
Even the most casual of women have days when they need to feel extra good, and dressing up is one way to do that. Many of us suppress this desire to dress up, probably because we’ve learned that it isn’t practical, and then we get too comfortable keeping things at status quo.
Next time you feel like dressing up, just do it. I sincerely doubt you’ll regret it. Even if you can’t go to work looking like you’re going to the club, you can probably add some element to your clothing to make it feel better.
Face Paint
Most girls seem to love face paint, whether it’s being painted to look like a tiger or a little bit of make-up. How long has it been since you painted your face? Go try it! Paint yourself to look like an animal, a princess, a flower, or a butterfly. If you don’t feel adventurous enough to go wild, at least put a little bit of make-up on, and see who it feels. It can be a big confidence booster.
Naps
Are you sleeping enough? I bet you aren’t. If you aren’t, it affects more than just your energy. It makes you gain weight, it makes you grumpy, it affects your relationships and most of all your long term health. If you have small children, I know it’s hard to get the sleep you need at night. But if you can, do like the kids, and take a nap. It’ll make a world of difference for you. I bet that you have at least one person in your life who can watch the kids for an hour or two.
All very good points! Children have a slightly more playful attitude to their appearance, and that can be very refreshing. We might not cut off all our hair on a whim, but why not try a different style or even cut for once – the worst thing that can happen is that we’ll have to spend a few months growing it out again to get something different 🙂
Yes! We just have to peel off some of the layers put upon us by the years gone by 🙂
You’re so right Linda, we should take heed of childrens’ attitude to life and lighten up! There’s an amazing statistic ht children laugh some 300 times a day (I can’t remember the exact amount) and adults less than 10! We should all remember to laugh more too.
Yes, we should 🙂 It would take care of that stress monster for a lot of people
Great ideas! I love naps. 🙂
I can’t say I love them, but I do need them 🙂
What a beautiful Blog! Love the watercolor look. Just signed up for Mandala Meditations. Self-Care is so important and looking at it through a child’as eye lens is amazing. Thank you! You may be interested in the 21 Day self-Care Sensation Celebration Challenge. Join at http://www.facebook.com/groups/BeBoldlyBrilliant Just finished, starts again September 1st. Winners from last challenge will be announced tomorrow.
Thank you 🙂 I painted it myself. Thanks for signing up. I’ll check that out. It could be a great thing to recommend in my newsletter.
Great post! I don’t have kids but have a very healthy relationship with my inner 4 year old. When she says it’s time for ice cream, I listen 🙂
That’s one relationship we all should have 🙂 I love ice-cream (and I listen to mine as well).
Thanks for the reminders to look back on the fun things we did as kids. Just the other day I started to take a nap and thought, “nah, can’t do that.” Then, got up and said “why not?” I laid down briefly and when I got up was more productive than before.
Thanks Linda.
~Debra
You’re welcome 🙂 We should all get better at saying “why not”
Linda,
Thank you for sharing 3 self-care lessons from children, your post inspired me to write-
Say Good Morning Sunshine
Wearing whimsy, color, texture, designs and sparkles invites smiles, laughter and play!
making up invites artistic imagination!
rest – nurture to renew and revive!
Gracias, Lisa R. Cohen
Those are great examples 🙂
Such a beautiful site! And I love this post! Such simple yet profound wisdom children bring us huh?
Thank you 🙂 Yes
I *love* these self-care tips. I also enjoy getting my face painted–my kids crack up because I jump right into line with them –the fun of having glitter and something colorful on my face invites imagination and play. So often adults get *serious* when refreshment and enrichment (as you suggest here) are essential to enjoying life as we live it! Thank you!
Thanks 🙂 I’m glad you’ve hung on to that part of yourself. So many lose it.