I almost canceled my upcoming massage. I thought to myself, ‘I feel pretty good so maybe I don’t need it’. It seemed in the moment, that it would be easy to forgo this means of taking good care of my body. 

Then, things around me changed. I had a bumpy week with fewer opportunities to swim. It is hot where I am so I’m not spending much time outdoors (another one of the other things I do for my own well-being.) Did I mention that it’s been really hot? 

After some further consideration, I didn’t cancel my massage. I remembered that it was a way for me to take good care of the body I lived in. It is also one of the ways I can connect with my whole self – because on that table, it isn’t just my body that needs work. I relax. I can be still. Eventually, my mind seems to empty, and I get off the gerbil wheel. 

In the silent spaces of getting that massage, I know I’m helping my body move and release built-up toxins. I know that my muscle soreness is a result of many factors – time at the keyboard, exercise, and age. My body and I don’t always play well together. We aren’t inclined to work towards good rest. 

While lately, I’ve been vigilant about getting to bed at a reasonable hour, I know that my body needs more. 

I can get “enough” sleep and still wake feeling sore and tired. I can slow down, take a few deep breaths, and spend a few minutes doing something peaceful. I can step away from the keyboard and move. 

Sleep and rest are among the biggest things I can do for my body. I’ve had years in my past where I didn’t sleep or rest well. I would go to bed and be overwhelmed with anxiety about what was happening around me. My future looked uncertain. I was deeply troubled, sad, heartbroken, and burdened by the expectations of others and myself. I was putting all kinds of pressure on myself. That kind of pressure isn’t conducive to resting or sleeping through the night! 

After things pretty much fell apart in my life, I began to consider what I really needed to do to take care of myself going forward. 

I was in the season of living alone after many years of marriage. I took my own personal inventory. What had I done well? What had fallen by the wayside of coping with divorce and death losses? What did I need to do to recalibrate myself and my body?  I came to the slow realization that I was worth taking care of. I had not been treated this way before – treated as if I were a valued member of that previous relationship. I had not valued myself. In that inventory, I discovered that it was time for me to invest in myself including in the process of caring for my body. 

I became more committed to living well for the body I enjoy. 

Getting regular massages went into my budget as part of this strategy – like doctors’ appointments. I slowly began to improve my strategies for taking good care of the skin and body I live in. I took steps to eat better. I drank more water and less alcohol until I completely gave up alcohol.  I looked for the payoffs rather than questioning the financial cost. There is financial cost – but I consider ways the cost might be greater if I skipped healthy strategies altogether! 

I might not be living the life I want to live if I don’t take thoughtful care of my whole self. 

When I reminded myself of these larger goals, I decided to keep my massage appointment. I remembered how I felt after the last massage and that helps me look forward to the next one.  Ultimately, I am the one responsible for caring for my body. I get to choose the habits I want a need to live in my whole self. I know this is a privilege too. So, I don’t take it for granted. 

Maybe a massage isn’t in your budget right now. Or maybe it isn’t something you feel comfortable doing. Or maybe it just isn’t the self-care you need. Whatever the case, I invite you to take that body inventory. Notice what it is your body needs in this season of your life. Stretch towards the things you notice. Take the time to take good care of you – because you are worth it!