Over the past 10 weeks, I have had the opportunity to look at life a little differently; my guess is you have too.  It seems as though my entire journey to self care has been about looking at life a little differently.

Just over two years ago, I got remarried and embarked on the process of combining two established households.  A change that seems pretty simple, but I’ll let you in on a little secret – I’m still working on it.  I knew it would take time, but I never realized how challenging this wonderful change could be.

Then a year ago, my husband and I merged our holistic practices and expand Inner Spa to include chiropractic care and stress management – Agasar Family WellCare at Inner Spa was born.  Another big, wonderful change that required looking at things a little differently.  After all, we were both established practitioners trying to blend two styles of care under one roof for the benefit of those we serve.  Yes, looking at things differently seemed to be a theme in my life.

And then along comes a pandemic…another change in the way I live and look at life.

At the end of March and in the midst of the chaos, I launched my first book The Gift of Loss: Transforming Tragedy.  It’s a book about really looking at yourself and finding a way to come through the circumstances of life.  (learn more about the book) It’s about my journey to self-care through change and hard work on myself, and I’m extremely grateful for all who have purchased and read the book; your feedback has been so incredibly encouraging.  I am so blessed on so many levels!

And even through the blessings and the gratitude, I find myself dealing with change almost daily.  At first, I looked at the stay-at-home time very positively.  I had more time with family, more intentional connections with friends, more time to consider the priorities in my life.  I looked for the positive in not going to working and having a busy lifestyle to balance on a daily basis.

Being positive got me thinking…

…about ways for me to address clutter in my life and reduce the stress that comes with it.  I finally had the time to scan a large box of photos; what a great feeling!  Now I need to name and categorize them, but that’s for a rainy day.  I had time to clean and organize the garage, even though it’s not completely done yet.  I have cleaned and scrubbed the house.  I updated the furniture out back, and I have reorganized my paperwork projects for business so I feel more prepared to re-open – hopefully soon.  I even started redecorating the house by painting and redesigning the downstairs bathroom.  I think the kitchen will be next…

Every day I thank God for the life I have and the change that has been presented.  Every day I am grateful to have the time to address the things I need to, the things that have been patiently waiting to be addressed since the household merging began.

But as the stay-at-home time dragged on, I began to look at how addressing the clutter in my life is really part of my self-care practices.  Self-care is all about taking care of the mind/body/spirit connection, and when you do not pay attention “the stuff”, stress builds which weakens the immune system which affects energy which invites disease…you get the picture.

Self-care is a choice you make daily.  I had to choose to address the clutter and begin to reduce the stress.

Since the pandemic began, my self-care routines have changed somewhat.  I still maintain many of my daily practices – supplements, chiropractic adjustments, movement, healthy food choices – but things are different because my lifestyle has changed.  I am not as busy so I should have more time for self-care.  But do I?

A big part of my self-care practice involves other people.  I’m not allowed to gather with people and if I do, I’m not allowed closer than six feet.  I desperately miss the healing that comes from human contact and really great hugs.  Sorry, elbow and fist pumps just don’t do it for me.  I miss my friends.  I miss my clients. I miss being me.

Okay, that’s a little dramatic, but in many ways it’s true.  I have changed because of all that is happening around me.  Please do not misunderstand.  I am not living in fear because of what is happening in the world, but I am thinking about the amount of fear that has been created.

And there you have it.  Fear has changed world so change becomes the new normal. 

Change is not fatal.  We all deal with change differently, but it is by no means the end; just ask my husband.  Even if change is the new normal, you still have a choice as to how you respond, how you practice self-care every day.

Yes, there is a lot of change in our world.  Those who thrive in the ever-changing environment are those who embrace change rather than run or hide from it.  I would love to hear how you embrace change to support your self-care practices.

Until next time, be well…