In yesterday's post, we talked about how living a life that lights you up and makes you happy is just as important as your dedication to self-healing. Today, I want to include self-care as a priority, too.

Just so you know, I need to hear this message as much as you do. It's a reminder that frequently pops up for me, as well.

We know we're here to help humanity raise its frequency and consciousness. It's what drives us and makes us so dedicated to our own healing, so we can radiate a stronger light to others. 

But we have been brainwashed by the hustle-grind mentality of our culture. 

So even though I know better, I've too often put it on the back burner, myself, allowing exhaustion and burnout to creep in. It's a life lesson that keeps resurfacing.

So, let's take a look at why making rest and self-care a priority is an absolute necessity, not just for the sake of those we came here to help, but for our own sake as well. We have to acknowledge that our capacity to heal and offer our light to the world is profoundly tied to our own state of well-being.
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Making rest and self-care your number one priority must become a transformational commitment to yourself and your mission that you actually put into practice. Here are some ideas to get you started...

(1) Set Clear Boundaries

Begin by defining your sacred boundaries.

Your time and energy are precious resources. Just as you pour your heart into healing others, reserve that same level of devotion for your own well-being.

You're going to be unapologetic in safeguarding moments for rest and rejuvenation. And once you make this commitment, you'll start to notice just how much of your power, your time and your energy you have been giving away, without saving enough for yourself.

(2) Create Rituals

Rituals can be such a powerful way to anchor self-care into your daily life.

I love my daily spiritual practice, and as I alluded to yesterday's post, I want to inspire you to cultivate your own rituals that nourish your spirit. Whether it's a morning meditation, an evening walk in nature, or simply lighting a candle and taking a moment to breathe, these rituals will help you pause, nurture yourself and let go of any stress you are carrying.

When you take a look at the placement of Venus in your natal chart, and also have a look at the house it is in, you may get some ideas about how best to love yourself more, and increase self-acceptance.
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I have Venus in Cancer and can definitely relate to this description. And from it, what comes to me about loving myself more is the need to dedicate time to self-care and nurturing/mothering myself, to look for ways to create privacy and safety when I need to process what I am feeling, and to find ways to appreciate and create beauty in my home, even though my budget is quite limited.

​My Venus in Cancer is in the 5th house. My understanding is that that is about self-identity and strengthening my sense of self. Also, about what I need to feel like I am living a good life. And that might mean simple activities that bring me joy, especially if I am doing them with family or friends.

So, best ways to love myself more...

(1) Make time for self-care, choosing simple self-nurturing activities, doing things I love with people I love. And this doesn't have to be big things. Just having dinner with friends on Sunday means a lot to me.

(2) Make time for processing my feelings and be careful about who I share those feelings with, so I feel safe if and when I do share them.

I am so grateful for the friends I can share my thoughts and feelings with. I haven't always had that. My closest friends are ones I am convinced are part of my soul family.

(3) Create moments when I can appreciate beauty. This might mean taking a walk in nature, or it could just mean opening the blinds and watching the trees move in the breeze.

(4) Make it a priority to create the life I want one day at a time. Sometimes I let days pass by without a lot of planning or thought - probably not the best idea.

When I'm fatigued, I can still plant myself in front of a book or movie.

(5) Give myself emotional warmth and the feel of a mother's love. Now, my mother passed away and I miss her a lot, so this might mean - in addition to mothering myself - that I need to seek connection with the divine Mother, through prayer or crystals or essential oils, etc.
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Over to you - have you found Venus in your chart? What does it imply about how you can love yourself more?

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine

Do y'all remember that song with the lyrics, "winter just isn't my season?" Truth!

Though I really enjoyed connecting with you guys this month, I know I wasn't here much. Which I regret, but could not really do anything about, unfortunately.

Here's what I have learned...

(1) If I don't write all my blog posts in advance, this is what participating in the UBC is probably going to look like.

(2) Might look like this even if I do.

(3) My epic crash this past month might be connected to doing #allthethings in December even though I was sick. 

About that last one - I was so happy to be spending time with my friends, getting some Christmas shopping done, and eating fun food, that I went out and went out and went out, even though I was burdened by the latest plague my son caught at work.

It felt like I was getting away with it.

But chronic fatigue syndrome, or ME/CFS as it is usually now called, seems to have had the last laugh, because this month has been a wash! Sheesh.

(1) Did you get more traffic?
(2) Did you get new subscribers?
(3) Did you have neat conversations?
(4) Did you feel more connected w/ your readers?

I hope you had a great experience.

And hopefully, I will see you next time!

Love you guys!

Jeanine
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