Maria, at My Life Works Today, has set us an intriguing task: to think about “self care is” through free writing, using Wordle to create a word picture illustration of the themes and ideas that link the items on our list together.
From my wordle, (small as it is – I couldn’t figure out how to enlarge it) it is obvious that the cyberverse plays a big role in my life. How does it factor into self-care? Using the internet to research, write, connect, and communicate provides me with an outlet for my words (poetry and prose), a place to be creative and whimsical, a spot where I am anyone I choose to be (anonymous or out-front), connections to people and communities and the sharing of ideas, ideals, tears and laughter.
Writing, then, is another important facet of self-care for me. When I’m in writing mode, time slips away. Writing is therapy, self-discovery. A notebook and pen are my constant companions. My self-editor is a tough critic; sometimes I just have to let her have the day off. The writing folders on my computer are, just like my stack of full notebooks, stuffed with thoughts, ideas, half-written stories, not-published blog entries, poetry, musings, and chapters (not in any order, mind you) of the mystery novel I’ve been working on for years.
Self-care is self-discovery: finding the therapeutic tools that best suit; learning to let go; re-wiring my brain and worldview; creating a diagram of how to deal with my physical and mental health issues. Birds, nature, walks in the park help me look outside of myself. Self care means splashing in puddles, pondering the wonders of the universe, keeping my eyes on the horizon, the path yet to be taken, knowing that within and without, I can fulfill my list for self-care is . .
As my wordle is so small, here are the items that make up the list:
self care is: listening to my body; researching; nice skin creams; hugging stuffed animals; time spent in the cyberverse; laughing; emails and chats with cyberverse friends; reading blogs; writing (stories, blog entries, life histories, poetry, free fall); history; nature; rediscovering my creative side; craft projects; calligraphy; loosing myself in something; birds (feeding, watching, noting); nature, walks in the park, therapy, communication and connection; being whimsical.
Themes: self-discovery; writing; creativity; cyberverse; nature; sharing.
all good – it’s great that you know things that help you with self care. Many people are lost on this subject. Keep thinking about you, and writing! I’m looking forward to that book.
on another note, I’ve never seen an ad on your blog. : )
and a hug for some friend care. {{O}}
wendy
Don’t hold your breath for the book — I have lots of work to do on it yet, but the “heroine” who solves the crime has chronic illness issues. I don’t think that’s been covered yet!
I hadn’t thought of self care until the blog carnival. The call for the carnival is a fascinating discussion of a group seminar that morphed into the carnival. If you’re up to it, check it out!
I think it was a yahoo issue or somebody hacked into my blog which has happened before. Thought I’d better warn people because it really presented it’s self like a utube video with the word “advertisement” in the top right hand corner in tiny print. Clicking would probably let a virus or worse in!
And, a hug back at you!
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