Addiction, co-dependency, depression, anxiety these are all hard things to get over. I wish you could be tapped on the head and fixed but that is not my experience. These type issues are daily reprieves contingent on my actions. I really wanted them to be on my knowledge, what anti-depressant I was taking, my intentions, etc. but again not my experience! My experience is it requires action on my part. The action of self care continues to develop and is in direct proportion to how much pain I can endure. The first thing I had to do was not drink or do drugs. That requires a commitment and change of behavior. Then it was about developing a relationship with a Higher Power. That is Jesus for me, I won’t mince words about who my Redeemer is! That has required a process of commitment. Then there have been nutritional changes that had to be made. As an alcoholic I process sugar differently than other people. After beating my head against the wall I accept that fact! I require a balance of protein with sugar or carbs. That is taking responsibility. Self care for me involves proper sleep. In my drinking days I would stay out all night and run with the eagles in the morning. But burning the candle at all the end will leave you emotionally unbalanced.
Everything about how I was living my life has had to be changed. Self care is not about indulgence but about personal responsibility. I require good nutrition, exercise, time with Jesus, mediation/quiet time, sleep and honest relationship. This like everything else has been a process. I have only given things up as I could no longer stand the pain the behavior was causing.
Realizing I wouldn’t treat a stranger the way I treat myself sometimes. I deserve my very best……
