Artwork by Morpheus Nag
100-Day Self-Care Quest experience – By Juhi Saxena
Hello, fellow parents and caregivers,
I am a mother to a beautiful 11-year-old daughter named Tanisha.
The 100-days self-care quest by SpecialSaathi has been a positive journey for me. It has allowed me to prioritize my well-being and cultivate a deep sense of self-love that I had long been yearning for.
One of the most significant impacts of this quest has been the release of guilt associated with taking frequent breaks or too long breaks to maintain my sanity. I have been able to nurture my mind and body, I have come to understand the importance of self-compassion and the necessity of taking time for myself. It has allowed me to recognize that self-care is not a luxury, but a fundamental requirement for a healthy and balanced life.
Once the 100-day self-care quest comes to an end, I will continue prioritizing free time and rest that my mind and body require. It has become evident to me that self-care is a lifelong journey.
I intend to indulge myself in activities that bring me joy and fulfillment. Dancing, painting, cooking, going on outings and dining with loved ones are among the things that truly make my heart sing. These activities not only provide a sense of enjoyment but also allow me to express my creativity and connect with the people I care about.
One aspect of self-care that I am particularly excited to continue is prioritizing sleep. I have come to realize the immense value of adequate rest and rejuvenation. Going forward, I plan to extend my sleeping hours and embrace the luxury of afternoon naps without any hint of guilt.
100-Day Self-Care Quest experience -By Dr. Dasaratha Rama
Developing Selfcare Habits
We have completed one-third of the SpecialSaathi Selfcare quest. It has been an enjoyable experience and I look forward to reading everyone’s shares daily!
Selfcare is an issue that is relevant to all parents regardless of child’s age, development, challenges, family situation etc. Parents are faced with so many demands on their time, that they may not prioritize selfcare. Exploring selfcare as a group provides an opportunity for all participants to become more mindful of the need for selfcare and start taking small steps.
As Shilpi said, sometimes smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step.
The Selfcare quest by SpecialSaathi is also a step in the right direction as a group. All the participants report on their selfcare activities each day. The requirement to post daily builds engagement. SpecialSaathi can build on this participation for future initiatives.
Selfcare as a Keystone Habit
I often organize my work into 100-Day projects. I see 100-Day projects as a means for developing habits and building routines. The Selfcare quest is an opportunity for thinking about selfcare daily, identify and explore possibilities, learn from others, and eventually cultivate habits.
Selfcare is a personal choice. Each individual will allocate a different amount of time and consider different activities as selfcare. The 100-Day quest is about being mindful and making the right choices for you.
According to Charles Duhigg, keystone habits are small changes that people make in their daily routines that set off a chain reaction and produce many other changes. The questions that I want to pose to the group are:
• Can we make selfcare a keystone habit?
• What effects will such a habit have on other habits and routine?
Selfcare Activities
Given below is a compilation of the types of experiences reported by participants.
1. Yoga
2. Meditation
3. Prayers/ Chanting
4. Spiritual listening
5. Travel
6. Meeting friends/ family
7. Hobbies
8. Interesting projects
9. Phone / chat
10. Social media
11. TV
12. Rest
13. Personal hygiene
14. Sleep
15. Reading
16. Music
17. Call
18. Walk
19. Gardening
20. Decluttering
I hope the community will find this list and blog posts on the Selfcare quest useful in developing their own selfcare practice.
As we have completed one-third of the project, I notice stable patterns in what participants report daily.
I am looking forward to continuing the 100-Day Selfcare quest with the SpecialSaathi group!
Co Authored By Juhi Saxena and Dr.Dasaratha Rama