Signs that your self-care journey is going down a destructive path

Most of us pursue self-care for benefits including balance and calm, and, when done right, self-care practices like meditation can certainly bring each. Like anything, however, your approach to self-care could hold a hidden destructive side and could start to drag you down, rather than build you up as this wellness focus should do. 

This is never a good thing, and worse, it’s often tied up in a faux sense of care that keeps you blind to what’s happening. However, we’ve put together a list of just a few signs that your self-care journey is going off on a destructive tangent, as well as the ways you can get it back on track. 

# 1 – Pursuing a ‘Perfect’ Care Journey

There is now a lot of information about what self-care should look like, especially on social media. Instagram is crammed with pictures of spa-style bubble baths and calming meditation rooms. While these things can serve as a great inspiration, they can also set you off on a quest to achieve a perfect self-care focus that’s inspired by what someone else needs, rather than what’s right for you. 

Overcome this by always realizing that self-care is a personal journey. Managing a half-hour bubble bath in the family bathroom is just as valuable as an influencer taking themselves off for a spa day. Simply do what feels good, and what you can manage with your lifestyle, and forget about other people’s self-care noise. 

# 2 – Feeling a Little Isolated

When we talk about self-care, we often refer to isolated tasks like solo gym sessions and private meditation. However, while these are fantastic for mental calm, they might come to feel quite isolating if you’re a generally extroverted person. And, that could harm, rather than help, your mindset. In this instance, it’s important to remember that there’s no self-care rule book, and there’s certainly nothing to say that other people can’t be a part of your journey. 

Things like date nights, or nights out with friends, also count as self-care. Equally, you don’t have to tackle the gym alone, but can instead take along some buddies, or opt for a personal trainer who can be right there alongside your sessions. These things will still help you care for yourself, while keeping you happy, engaged, and socially thriving at the same time. 

# 3 – Berating Yourself for Failing to Make Time

We’re all guilty of getting down about failing to make time for self-care, but excessive negative self-talk if you miss a session is never healthy. Life simply gets in the way sometimes, and that’s okay!

Rather than beating yourself up (and ultimately getting in a negative headspace), it’s worth reassessing what’s not working, and how you can change it. If you’re struggling to set aside a self-care hour, why not try fitting a ten-minute face mask into your evenings? This is a small step that’s manageable for most of us, and provides care without those unwanted guilty feelings! 

Struggling to get into a positive self-care mindset? Do away with these destructive digressions!