Ep 167: Why Self-Care Is Not an Indulgence

People are throwing around the term “self-care” carelessly nowadays. We often associate it with facial treatments, spa appointments, and other relaxing activities to do after a hard day’s work. But here’s the truth: Self-care doesn’t mean being self-indulgent. Self-care is a discipline, and can actually be kind of boring. Regardless, you do it because you want to be strong and healthy not only for yourself but also for the people you spend your life with.

In this episode, I discuss the difference between self-care and being self-indulgent. I talk in-depth about society’s false interpretations of it by reading Tami Forman’s brilliant article, “Self-Care Is Not An Indulgence. It’s A Discipline.”

If you want to find out the true meaning of self-care, then this episode is for you.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:

1. Discover what self-care is and isn’t and why it is a tedious but satisfying practice.
2. Learn what behaviors true self-care entails.
3. I will share the common myths my clients often believe about self-care.

Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Self-Care Is Not An Indulgence. It’s A Discipline by Tami Forman

Episode Highlights

The Importance of Self-Care 

• All people have to be disciplined in doing self-care. Whatever happens, you have to decide that it’s a priority in your life.
• One of my clients sent a great article by Tami Forman that differentiated self-care from being self-indulgent, which is how self-care is often described these days.

On Self-Care Is Not An Indulgence. It’s A Discipline.

• In Tami Forman’s article, she talked about how society’s portrayal of self-care is backward and is often exclusively aimed at women.
• Self-care requires tough-mindedness, a deep understanding of priorities, and respect for yourself and the people you want to spend your life with.
• Listen to the full episode to know examples of self-care activities. Hint: It actually doesn’t cost anything!
• Self-care also involves feeding yourself with nutritious food, the ability to stop when you’re full, and planning your meals ahead of time.
• Self-care is actually kind of boring; it’s all about self-discipline and commitment to staying healthy.

The True Meaning of Self-Care

• Self-care doesn’t cost anything. It just costs your brain time to think about what you really need.
• Nowadays, self-care is seen as instant gratification, which is false. It’s tedious work and requires full commitment despite the temptations around you.
• Self-care also involves learning how to listen to your body and allowing it to recover if needed. It is also about knowing when to stop.
• Self-discipline is not being mean to yourself. You do it out of love for yourself.

5 Powerful Quotes from This Episode

“If we are being honest, self-care is actually kind of boring—I really love this—which is why self-care is a discipline.”

“It takes discipline to do the things that are good for us instead of what feels good in the moment.”

“Self-discipline is the way that you do self-care.”

“What’s probably more important are the things that don’t cost anything. It just costs the time of your brain to think about what you really need.”

“Self-discipline is not being mean to yourself. Self-discipline is out of love to yourself.”

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Thanks for listening!

To transforming your life for good,

Dr. Deb