When we think of self-care, most of us tend to think about relaxing on the sofa, with cucumber slices on our eyes and a face mask on, listening to our favourite album, watching a show on Netflix, or generally taking it easy. Some of us may even invest in our self-care by booking a day off work to go and enjoy a full pampering spa experience. That sounds wonderful too.
But no matter how you focus on your self-care, we tend to think of it as something we do distinct from our daily responsibilities and life. It’s not like you’re going to find the most comforting self-care in the middle of a commuter train, after all. But it could be that from time to time, arranging our lifestyles so that we feel reinforced, nurtured, and satisfied by our daily duties, even if we all have to do things we’d rather not do, can help us gain that self-care mindset and feel nourished rather than drained.
This begs the question – is it possible to find self-care in the work you do? To an extent, we believe it is. Let’s discuss how and why below:
Work That Satisfies Curiosity & That You Believe In
While it’s unlikely that every single element of your job is going to spark utter creative and joyful inspiration (for instance, its unlikely that writing documents or putting together your budget is going to be the highlight of your year), the broader ideals of your job and the work you do can truly inspire you.
For example, pursuing ASFA’s Sports Nutrition Certification to help athletes better unlock their capabilities can merge your love for science and also your passion for sports, allowing you to chart a career you can be proud to work in, and that constantly allows you to learn and satiate your curiosity, all in the best possible way.
Flexible, Varied Work Opportunities
A job that can provide varied work opportunities tends to be deeply satisfying in more ways than one. For example, if each week has you in a new location, or if you’re meeting with clients, discussing with partners, or even have the chance to work from home one or two days a week, you’ll find that the work never gets boring and that each day feels new.
This will help you avoid the ‘autopilot’ feeling that otherwise leads to an unfulfilled career.
A Schedule That Works For You
A healthy work/life balance will make a profound difference in how enjoyable it is to manage your schedule, especially if you’re raising a young family or maybe have responsibilities outside of your usual working duties. From being able to set your own hours in some jobs to moving job categories entirely, like becoming a freelancer instead of a salaried employee, can help you better pursue and ascertain the lifestyle you wish to lead.
While it may take some time to get there, having this approach in mind is sure to help you move your career in a direction you most wish to see, one that helps you achieve that sense of well-being that self-care also provides.
With this advice, you’re sure to find work tailored to your needs, or think about opportunities for finding it.
