Exposing these 12 self care myths is important if you’re going to thrive as a teacher and take the actions you need to help stay strong and have longevity in your role.
Many of us, at one point or another, may not have really understood what self care is truly all about.
There might be some of you that are still not really certain.
So what?
Well, as part of my passion and mission to teachers, it’s important that you understand what self-care really is, to make it clearer for you to know how to thrive in your teaching life.
Self care hype and misconceptions
So, I think to have a better understanding of what it takes to thrive, you’ll need to be aware of the and misconceptions and really unhelpful self care myths out there.
And just like when you’re learning anything new, why not familiarize yourself with the full picture of self care so that you can learn how to deliver your own personal needs to really feel nourished and energized.
We know as women, as well as misconceptions there’s certainly plenty of HYPE that comes our way from the ‘self care ‘industry.’
Especially from the warped information sprouted by media outlets or big conglomerate retailers who peddle a variety of potions, bath bombs and goop to put on your face – all for the sake of the mighty dollar.
So, let’s expose these self-care myths and debunk them as fallacies to come to a deeper understanding on our journey to be our best selves.
But first, we need to have a bit more of an understanding of self-care.
What IS self-care really all about?
Self-care is certainly NOT just personal care or the pampering you see as the ‘fluff’ promoted in many women’s magazines.
DON’T get me wrong… It CAN be this… IF that’s what your own body requires to feel loved, cared for and energized... BUT, please just stay with me for a minute while I explain further.
It’s true that self-care can be taking relaxing baths and the occasional manicure, but these should become a part of a must bigger holistic approach to take better care of yourself.
As a bit of background, Better Health Victoria describes our wellbeing is made up of ‘a complex combination of a person’s mental, physical, emotional and social health factors closely linked to happiness and life satisfaction’ that are needed for living with vitality.
So, if our wellbeing is so complex, then it makes sense that it will require us to have a thorough and more holistic approach to really look after ourselves properly.
Thus, caring for our WHOLE BEING – and all the parts of us – the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual parts.
If you’re interested to take a deeper dive into self-care and wellbeing, please read some of my posts to get a fuller understanding.
Related Articles:
10 Important Essentials to Build Teacher Wellbeing
What’s All the Fuss About Teacher Self-Care
Teacher Self-Care: Time to Take A Self-Care Inventory
Now, let move onto our topic at hand –
What have we been conned with these self-care myths? AND how do we know these are self-care myths?
Well, I’ve made some pretty BIG mistakes in the past with my own self-care and I’ve had to learn plenty of lessons.
Therefore, I can say for a fact, the following self-care myths are all fallacies and I want to expose them as such.
Let’s dive in…
The 12 myths of self-care that must be exposed – especially if drained teachers are to truly take care of themselves
Self-care myths #1: Self-care is all about pampering
This is honestly not true. Self care is NOT all about pampering.
However, the commercial world would have you believe that THE ONLY WAY TO practice self-care is by purchasing scented bath bombs and have regular facials – only because they want to sell their products.
Self-care, at its core, is about our total health and wellbeing and not as a way to pamper ourselves.
Self-care myths #2: Self-care is expensive
Self-care DOES NOT have to be expensive.
This self-care myth is closely linked to the previous one where the average consumer thinks that to practice self-care should taking regular luxurious spa days or tropical holidays.
Self-care, when done to meet the needs of the individual, does not require lots of money (although on occasion these special activities might serve as a way to help boost your low mood or energy depletion).
In fact, self-care doesn’t have to cost anything at all!
I believe authentic self-care is in the day-to-day ways we care for ourselves in all areas of our health – like remembering to drink enough water throughout the day or getting good quality sleep each night and also feeding your soul with great music or catching up your best girlfriend for a ‘deep and meaningful’ chat.
If you need ideas for inexpensive self-care, take a look at my Prioritizing You! Self-Care at Home Kit, and you can start working on your self-love from the comfort of your own home. This workbook will help you reconnect with your lost self and develop your journey to better care.
Self-care myths #3: Self-care is a guilty pleasure
If you come from the perspective that self-care is all about pampering, it may be seen as a guilty pleasure too.
But this one is easily debunked, because when you KNOW what TRUE self-care is all about – taking better care of yourself and nurturing your own needs for optimal health and wellbeing – (whether it be drinking enough water, getting some healthy exercise in your day or eating nutritious meals) – You’ll know this idea of it being a guilty pleasure, is total bullcrap!
Ladies, you ARE totally worthy of your own care and no one, not even that inner critic, should tell you anything different.
STOP seeing self-care as a guilty pleasure – PROMISE?
Self-care myths #4: Self-care is a selfish act
It’s hard to know where this self care myth has come from. Because how can self-care be seen as selfish?
I honestly think that as women, we’ve been brought up into a culture, that teaches us from an early age, to be self-sacrificing and to always put others before ourselves, so when you do spend any time on yourself, you often feel guilty.
Would you agree?
As women, mothers, partners and teachers, we MUST expose this self-care myth and totally dismiss that self-care is a selfish act because it’s simply NOT TRUE!
Self-care myths #5: Self-care should be optional
Unfortunately, in the busy and demanding world we live in, and in particular, the sometimes overwhelming teacher life, self-care isn’t an option, IT’S A MUST! Especially if you’re going more than survive.
Self-care MUST be about making intentional choices to NURTURE your body, mind and soul, and this WILL take commitment and choosing to prioritize your health each and every day.
A haphazard approach won’t cut it.
And certainly running yourself ragged will only lead to unhealthy habits with unmet needs that go on for far too long.
This is when neglect comes about.
Self-care, therefore, can’t be left to chance or an optional activity, because, without the care and rest the body requires, your health will spiral out of control.
Self-care myths #6: Self-care takes too much time
If you think self-care takes too much time, you’re way off base.
- drink a glass of filtered water on waking in the mornings, and you’re already well on your way to implementing some easy physical self-care in your day.
And if you intentionally:
- buy fresh fruit and vegetables, plus lean meats, dairy and nuts and use them to make delicious food for you and your family
- as well as enjoy a 10-20 minute walk each day
Have you spent a lot of time on your self care? I think not!
I’m mean, I may be simplifying this a little, but you can see that self-care DOES NOT have to take much time out of your day.
Self-care myths #7: Self-care is too difficult
You don’t need to make self-care difficult. It’s about adding a variety of different types of activities into your day that will nurture your whole self.
Is having a heart-felt long hug difficult?
Is watching the sunset and soaking in the feeling of the beautiful colours and enjoying the whole experience difficult?
NO, of course not!
Let this self-care myth be laid to rest. No way is taking care of your beautiful self too hard. It’s just another excuse that people revert to.
Self-care myths #8: Self-care is a temporary act
Just like self-care myth number 5, to feel the benefits of self-care long term and make a difference in you life, self-care can’t be temporary.
Therefore the practice of self-care is not something that is a one-off act or done occasionally.
Otherwise, you’ll find, like I did, that it doesn’t last and health and vitality won’t be sustained.
Self-care myths #9: Self-care is just for women
Well, the self-care myth that it’s just for women is ludicrous.
Men, as well as women, need to be taking care of themselves – therefore require to practice self-care.
In actual fact, even though women seem to be more interested in self-care and open to the idea of taking better care of themselves, some men have a tendency of neglect, so self-care is probably way more important for them to focus on.
Obviously men need self-care just as much as women do.
Self-care myths #10: Self-care is anything that soothes you
Don’t think that self-care is just a soothing activity. This self-care myth incorrectly makes people believe they self-indulgence in foods or alcohol or anything just to feel good, is ok.
Self-care is not about soothing. It’s about finding ways to care for the health and wellbeing of your body, not binging on chocolate or chips or booze.
Self-care myths #11: We need to earn the right to self-care
Don’t get me started on this self care myth.
I went for far too long with poor self-worth, a layover from childhood, thinking I needed to work hard, or prove myself or feel worthy of my own self-care.
Don’t be like me!
It’s not necessary to earn the right to start taking care of yourself. Self-care is so important that you can’t continue to neglect yourself, even if you think you’re not worthy.
Just stop it now!
Self-care myths #12: Self-care needs resources you don’t have
Well, as you can see, you DON’T need any particular resource to show yourself self-love or care.
It’s not necessary to pay for a gym membership or visit the nail salon, and you certainly don’t need to source any particular resource that you don’t have.
Self care just requires intentional actions, and starting right where you are to begin care that suits you – at home or at school, or wherever, without spending a single dollar on specific ‘beauty aids’.
Debunking the self care myths
So if you tend to grab onto excuses that ARE HOLDING YOU BACK from looking after yourself and use phrases like:
- I don’t have time
- I’m too tired
- self-care is selfish
- I don’t have the money
I want you to rethink this.
I know that as a busy teacher for many years I often got it wrong with self-care and used way too many excuses not to put myself first.
But, I don’t want you to experience the damaging side-effects of not nurturing your needs suitably, as I did.
It certainly will take a toll on your health and wellbeing, ultimately impacting on your life and future as a teacher.
Start something new today and stop using these self-care myths that are causing your self-neglect.
Remember, you are worth it!
Michelle
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