“You need to protect the asset — and you’re the asset.” 

My mentor’s words hit me like a wave. I had just finished justifying why I had to work weekends, and why I most certainly couldn’t take time off for a vacation. I had too much to do. 

“What good will you be to anyone if you completely burn out?” she asked. “You are the asset, Terri. If you don’t protect that asset, no one else will.” 

Something about the word “protect” challenged me to see self-care as an investment instead of a luxury. Even still, this continues to be a hard concept to reconcile. We often get so busy on the endless treadmill of work and responsibilities that we don’t give self-care a second thought. At first, COVID-19 gave us all an opportunity to pause and reevaluate. But, after we realized that life wouldn’t return to normal after a couple of weeks of staying home, we have had to come to terms with juggling both our regular responsibilities as well as a new host of worries that take up our time and mental space. Whether it’s the stresses of balancing work and homeschooling, fears about getting your cancer treatments while staying safe, or trying to pivot your nonprofit or business – we are all navigating the highest collective uncertainty many of us have faced in our lifetimes.

It makes sense that self-care might be the first thing to go. Studies have shown that even when we know how important self-care is, we struggle to prioritize it in our lives. But, after months of adrenaline pumping through our veins and a host of fears bombarding us daily, we need to prioritize it more than we ever have.

So, what does this look like in the midst of a pandemic? Maybe we can’t book trips to far off destinations or meet up with friends for cocktails, but perhaps we can find small ways to give ourselves a reprieve. Here are three things I’ve recently discovered that have each helped me find some balance amidst all of the uncertainty: 

1. Meditation. In all honesty, meditation and I have never had a steady relationship. Sure, I have dabbled in it, but it just didn’t feel like my thing. Recently a friend recommended an app called Waking Up, and I’m 21 days into the introductory course and actually loving it. For the first time, meditation feels accessible and effective. If you’re interested in exploring meditation, you might also want to check out Calm and Headspace and see if any of these apps feel right for you. 
2. The Boss Family Workout. I grew up in a small town with no dance class options, and even after moving to a big city, formal dance and choreography often felt intimidating. But, I love music and love to dance. Recently, an injury has prevented me from getting out for hikes and walks. I found myself grouchy and disgruntled — until I discovered a fun, easy 30-minute way to shake off the stresses of my day. The Boss Family Workout by dancer/choreographer Twitch and his wife Alison, also a dancer, has boosted my mood and helped me get out of my funk (and chair). If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, check out their YouTube channel. 
3. Stand Up Comedy. We all need an escape sometimes. And I’ve recently discovered how cathartic it is to sit back and spend an hour laughing out loud at one of Netflix’s endless options of comedy specials. Experts have known for years that laughter is among our best medicines – and thanks to streaming platforms, it’s now one of our most accessible, too. 

Practicing self-care isn’t easy. And as I recently discovered, sometimes we need a good reminder. In writing this blog, I revisited a post I wrote in 2019 after taking my first vacation in years. To my surprise, I discovered I had shared the following quote from the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown: 

The best asset we have for making a contribution to the world is ourselves. If we underinvest in ourselves, and by that, I mean our minds, our bodies, and our spirits, we damage the very tool we need to make our highest contribution.

Even after reading the book and including this quote in a blog post, the idea of “protecting” the asset didn’t stick. More than a year later, my mentor’s powerful words remind me that practicing self-care is a lesson most of us need to keep learning. 

2020 has dropped us into uncharted and often overwhelming territory. With no immediate likelihood of getting “back to normal”, it’s time to find ways to be good to ourselves. If you have a self-care practice that works for you, share your thoughts here or on social media. We’d love to hear from you.