Self-Care & Support That’s Right for You, Right Now

We’re just a week away from the Self-Care Spa Day Virtual Retreat! Lindsey, Diane and I have been crafting the schedule, practicing with Zoom sound for singing bowls, tuning forks and meditative drumming, choosing herbs and oils to enjoy, opening the online group for sharing, and gathering tips for creating our sacred spaces. 

It’s all coming together. Now all we need is . . . you! If you’ve registered already, watch your inbox for suggestions for preparing for this energizing and relaxing event, and we’ll see you in the online group.

If you haven’t signed up yet, click here or keep reading to see if you may be able to benefit from a gathering of caring souls all supporting each other in cultivating our optimal wellness for this moment. I’m guessing the answer is, “Yes!”

Why is this event so important right now?

We are facing stresses that are unprecedented, even almost unthinkable until recently. You may be consumed with current international conflicts or struggling with personal hardships, but there’s really no wrong time for self-care.

In this moment, it feels so important to come together to focus on our wellbeing and support each other, as well as shoring up our own self-care routines and skills. We’re not meant to do this alone, and we can each do so much in our own lives, every day, to nurture our resilience.

Self-care is a radical act of resistance against oppression, whether that’s political persecution or domestic abuse, bullying in school or harassment at work. It’s our superpower. Because it’s an internal attitude, it’s something no one can take away from us, even if it doesn’t feel that way sometimes. This internal shift can be the key to breaking the chains and cycles of victimization.

Before daily chanting of the five Reiki Precepts, we say "Just for today . . ." because we only need focus on what we can do now, though we can remember the past and imagine the future. Envision yourself waking up knowing you have a whole day ahead of you that's just for your enjoyment and relaxation. Not every day may feel quite like this, but at least one can! And today can be the day you decide to say "Yes" to yourself.

We'll be chanting and exploring those Reiki Precepts together in the retreat, including the ones about gratitude, compassion, dealing with anger and worry, and devoting ourselves to our purpose, our wellbeing and what's really important in our lives. We'll also use the power of Reiki to clarify and charge our Vision and Intentions, and to soothe our tension and discomfort, bring us calm hearts and peace of mind. And so much more!

If this feels hard, it may be exactly what you need

If it's difficult to plan the logistics of a self-care spa day, or if your resistance comes from not feeling you deserve or can justify it to yourself or others, you’re in the right place! It’s okay to feel that way, and there are other ways of looking at it.

The purpose of this gathering is not only to indulge, it’s to transform. This is a crucial part of healing and self-care. It’s not about just staying the same or not getting sick, it’s about growing, learning, and practicing the vital skill of sitting with discomfort in truth and compassion., in a way that allows it to resolve, move forward or shift. We’re not going to deny challenges that feel uncomfortable, yet we’re not going to wallow in self-pity either. We can practice noticing what’s bothering us and opening to its wisdom to expand our understanding and become more empowered in our choices and experiences.

For some, getting to this virtual retreat may be the hard part. It may mean finding child care, using a precious personal day off, disrupting a routine of caring for someone else, investing in our own wellbeing, caring connections and enjoyment. 

It may instigate an uncomfortable conversation, facing realities about how we take up space in the world and in our lives, countering others’ expectations of us, and our own habits of thought and behavior. This is all part of the healing journey, nothing to be ashamed of, and fertile ground for growth, especially when you surround yourself with support.

For others, discomfort may arise physically while we’re meditating or moving to music, and some aches and pains make themselves known that we’re more able to ignore when we’re constantly on the go. We may feel self-conscious or embarrassed at being invited to dance with our cameras on or share feelings that arise for compassionate healing. (Everything in the retreat is completely optional and voluntary. No one will make you dance or perform in any way. :)

Whatever your challenges are in considering this retreat, they hold powerful gifts for you! Even if you don’t make it to this event, the exercise of holding space for these challenges and cultivating compassion and encouragement for yourself is an extremely powerful act.

You know yourself and your situation best, and we support you completely in whatever choice you make. Please know that we are here to support you in whatever ways we can, so feel free to get in touch to explore how Essential Arts can help you on your journey of healing and growth.

Is self-care worth taking the time when I’m already so busy?

Sometimes it helps to zoom out to see the bigger picture. How do you evaluate the elements of your life and your schedule? How do you know if anything is worth your time?

In a bit of word-play in this recent post, I explore dual meanings of the word “appreciation,” which can mean gratefully enjoying something and also increasing in value.

What are you appreciating in your life? That means, what do you enjoy and what do you value?

This doesn’t mean that everything we do is fun. There are other ways to enjoy what is valuable to us, like feeling safe, achieving a goal, expressing caring for someone else, getting through a difficult situation.

It also doesn’t mean everything has the same kind of value. Economic value is important, and there are many precious things in life that are priceless. It does mean that what we feel grateful for and enjoy grows in value and power.

Right now, take just a moment to close your eyes or soften your gaze and read on. Breathe in through your nose, expand your lungs and your belly. Release the breath and let your shoulders slope down. Notice your mind settle a bit. In this quiet, expansive space, invite elements of your life and your schedule to arise in Appreciation. Notice what you value about each activity, each person that comes to mind. You don’t need to bring in every single thing you do and everyone you know, just allow a few to be present. Sense what is important to you about them, what you enjoy, what you value. It’s okay if you have some mixed feelings. Nothing has to be all good or easy to be valuable and appreciated.

Then bring yourself into this space of Appreciation. Picture your self-care practice, if you have one, one from the past, or one you can imagine in the future. Just enjoy being with it for a moment. Notice what resistance arises, whether from people in your past saying it’s a waste of time, the feeling that you don’t deserve it, or other potential obstacles.

Without having to change anything or make anything happen, just hold that space for Appreciation to grow, both for yourself and for the other important things and people in your life. You may notice some things or people seem less important than others and maybe don’t need as much of your energy as you’ve been giving them.

Try to center yourself in that image and see how it feels to receive Appreciation from yourself. Now add receiving the Appreciation of others in your life. Whether or not they express it in obvious ways that feel great to you, you are appreciated and valued, and you do make a difference in the lives of others.

This is a self-care practice! Taking the time to value and appreciate yourself for one minute can be life-changing, or a gradual healing journey practiced daily for a lifetime.

This shows how self-care isn't unproductive, it’s beyond productive - it’s transformational. It’s not only taking special time for ourselves, but a way of life. When we practice and prioritize valuing ourselves as well as others, we can do the same things with the same people and have very different experiences. We can also see more clearly how some of those elements can shift and change to make our lives more accommodating to our self-care.

In earlier posts, I explored how our self-care really benefits others as well, so if you haven't seen those, I invite you to browse the Essential Arts blog learn how you’re helping others by choosing your own wellbeing and sharing support with others who are doing the same. 

One one hand, the Self-Care Spa Day Virtual Retreat is an entire day dedicated to indulging in healing and feeling good. On the other hand, it’s just one day!

And it’s coming very soon - in fact, you can start now! Register for the Quickening Reiki Starter Kit & Self-Care Spa Day Virtual Retreat Bundle, and you can schedule your Attunement right away.

When you sign up for the retreat, you’ll receive ideas for creating your sacred space, things to bring and what you can look forward to. There’s also a private group (not on mainstream social media) where you can meet your retreat leaders and other attendees, set intentions and share photos of your retreat space. You’ll also learn how to continue enjoying support for your self-care practices and way of life.

Still feeling unsure? Questions? Email me at connect@essentialarts.net and I’ll help you decide if this retreat is right for you.

I’m so looking forward to this event and I hope to see you there with Reiki Master Student Teachers Diane Alves & Lindsey Warren!

Love & blessings,

Dawn Hancy ~ Reiki Master Teacher, Coach & Retreat Leader