In August 2002 I had just completed a project I have been working on with a corporate client for 2 years. Of which the previous 6 weeks I had been glued to my chair and the last two living in my office. As a result my cup was pretty empty.

It reminded me just how important self-care is, especially when you are self-employed and work at home. It can be very easy to slip into the office after hours and on weekends to get ahead or get caught up. There is a cost, however, are you willing to pay the price?

Yes there are things like bathing, brushing your teeth, combing your hair, shaving etc. However, the self-care we are talking about is more extreme than daily hygiene. Self-care is also about taking time to nurture yourself. Making and taking the time to do the things you enjoy, things that replenish and rejuvenate you. It will look different for everyone but what it does have in common is that it makes you feel good!

What are some things you can do? Read a book, go for a walk, paint your nails, go golfing, give yourself a facial, go fishing, get a massage, go skiing, meditate, go hiking, journal, go bike riding, sit in the sun, go horseback riding, dye your hair, go boating, work in your garden, go for a drive, walk the dog, go workout, have a nap, go swimming, paint a picture, go camping, pick some flowers, go snowmobiling, write a poem, go ski diving, bake some bread, go skating, do some knitting, go snowboarding, take a bath, go for a run etc. etc. etc. I'm sure you get the idea. You may feel physically tired after your self-care it is a good healthy tired not a stressed on the edge tired. Do whatever you need to fill your cup.

While it may depend on what you are doing and the time of year I recommend practicing self care a minimum of every two weeks and ideally to have it become part of your daily routine. Taking the time each day to do something you enjoy that will take you away from your work and the stresses of everyday life. You are worth it!

Self care is important especially to Virtual Assistants (VA's). The nature of the VA profession requires us to give a lot to our clients. We are there to support them in many different ways. Administratively, creatively, strategically, mentally, and sometimes emotionally. And this is in addition to the other roles you may play as mother, wife, sister, father, husband, brother or friend. When you keep giving of yourself without replenishing, your cup will be empty. When this happens things start to break down.

Some of the ways you may see this show up is in a lack of focus, communication breakdowns, reduced people skills, irritability, resentments towards clients and/or tasks, poor work quality, and generally not enjoying what you are doing or having fun. The cost is steep.

By nurturing yourself you then have something to nurture and support others with. You can't give what you don't have. You will be happier, more content, more relaxed, healthier, have more self-esteem, more energy, more vitality and have more fun. You will be able to stay focused and present for your clients. They are worth it too!!