The Ugly Side to Self-Care
In today’s modern world we tend to have a common misconception of what self-love truly means, as well as, how one may begin to practice self love through self-care.
Contrary to popular belief, self-care isn’t always Sunday brunches and “treat yourself” shopping sprees.
Sometimes practicing self-care requires a little tough self-love. Self-love and self-care are more than superficial feelings of joy and gratification one manifests through happy-go-lucky and care-free positive experiences. In most cases, self-love requires one to practice self-care through deep thought provoking, tear-jerking, and completely raw self reflection.
In order to eradicate the common misguided perception of self love and self-care, as well as, for the purposes of maintaining a more mindful and holistic view of our role as responsible and self-aware human beings; it is essential to view self-care and self love, as self-accountability.
Self-accountability reaches far beyond the common hegemonic narrative of what self-love and self-care means when actually put into practice.
Yes, bubble baths and spa days are essential tactics to achieve feelings of happiness and self importance, however, it is more important to note that self-care does not have to equate to overt self indulgence or excessive acts of pleasure.
For those seeking to live more holistic, happy, fulfilling, or mindful lifestyles, the idea of self-care should instead be viewed as synonymous with the concept of self-accountability.
Self accountability is exactly what this article suggests could be seen as the “Ugly-Side” of self-care because it means that practicing self-love is not always a pleasurable experience.
For those seeking genuine transformation and positive self-growth, true personal development can be found in taking an unadulterated look at how one’s self plays a significant role in their current disposition and potential life outcomes. Consistent and authentic self-accountability during one’s practice of self-care is essential when seeking to maintain a more mindful and fulfilling lifestyle.
What exactly is Self-Accountability and how does one practice it?
Self-accountability in all actuality is a simple concept, however when it is put into practice it can have profound positive effects on one’s life. Self accountability requires one to be reflective, unbiased, and most importantly, honest when assessing one’s current self.
This includes being introspective and aware of one’s internal thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and social programming.
One must be unafraid to rip past the superficial barrier of temporary emotions in order to access the root cause of any negative patterns, thoughts, habits, actions, or circumstances.
This is particularly important during times of conflict and crisis.
Self-accountability allows one to achieve a clear and more holistic view of any given situation, thought, emotion, or conflict. It helps individuals begin to identify one’s own role in manifesting their current disposition, circumstance, or perspective.
This provides the valuable opportunity for introspection that individuals need in order to heighten their levels of self-awareness and put genuine self-care into practice.
Practicing self-care through self- accountability includes, but is not limited to:
- Recognizing toxic patterns and belief systems within one’s own mind.
- Questioning one’s own motives and intentions.
- Respecting the validity of one’s personal experiences, as well as the validity of the experiences of others.
- Manifesting the humility and discernment to be able to recognize in any situation whether the immediate thoughts, feelings, and choices one chooses to embrace are conducive to their personal growth, or just temporary decisions based on genuine but misguided negative emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
This is why it is essential that when in the face of conflict or contentious thoughts or negative feelings, one takes the time to take a step back to not only diffuse the current situation and quell temporary emotions, but to also check-in with your most valuable asset: your self.
Self-care can be extremely gratifying when practiced holistically with an emphasis on self-accountability.
It helps create more mindful and positive thinkers that are unafraid to practice self-love through self-awareness, live life more authentically, show empathy to one’s self and others, and begin to utilize the power of their mind to transcend one’s ego in any situation.
Self-care is a holistic lifestyle practice that when done correctly may sometimes have an ugly-side, but in the end the results are beautiful.
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To learn more about practicing self-care click here.
To explore more about the power of mindful living click here.
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