When self-care meant getting dirty and skirting peril

What does self-care mean to you?

Is it on autopilot or something you relish giving attention to? What problems do you encounter in your day-to-day self-care routines? I'm asking because I want to make the interventions in Day Crafting fit the kinds of problems we all encounter – and I'm starting to write the Self-care Workbook this week.

I see self-care as more about taking proactive steps, unlike wellbeing, happiness, or mental health, which can sometimes be passive. To me, self-care is a key part of the process called Day Crafting, and wellbeing might be one of the outcomes it supports. I'm exploring these ideas and would love to hear your thoughts. Do you tend to overlook self-care? If so, what’s your reason? Do you see self-care as something you turn to only when needed, or do you enjoy it as a way to prevent issues before they arise?

• Imagine the three wisest, most caring people you know. What self-care activities would they recommend for you?

• What would self-care look like if you didn't have to consider the cost or any accusation of selfishness?

• How different would your current and 8-year-old self's prescription for self-care be?

I was thinking of these questions this morning (and I regularly turn to the wisdom(?) / opinion of my 8-year-old self). He would have thought self-care was a bit odd and would have been suspicious that a bath was about to be suggested. When I was 8, I spent the summer shoeless, getting dirty, roaming the countryside, neglecting food and barely skirting peril. I would have invested an amusing (to me now) amount of time developing my psychic abilities to see through playing cards based on a short story about Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl. I was never successful at the latter.

I believe self-care is about more than just the usual basics, so I’ve put together some ideas in a workbook that are a bit more engaging and fun. Please feel free to share your own challenges and solutions on this topic — I’d love to hear your thoughts!

PS. I really like long and luxurious baths now. My 8-year-old self is more than a little disappointed.