Self-care and rest have always been hard for me to figure out. Sometimes I’m really unmotivated, and I want to rest before I work. I’ve struggled with depression most of my life, so being motivated and holding myself accountable is challenging. As a result of trying to get everything done and not fall back into those patterns, it’s hard for me to know whether to give myself grace or keep myself accountable to my to-do list. It can’t just be me, right?
There are some days when I need to stay in my pajamas and binge my favorite TV shows. If I need to catch up on rest or put my feet up for a few hours, that’s the way to do it. For me, though, taking care of my mental health often means getting out of the house. I do ceramics at an art studio or go to a coffee shop to write and drink my favorite chai latte. Sitting on the porch in the sun also works wonders for me. Catching up with friends makes me feel connected to and cared for by others.
Abbi already told us about soul care. Sometimes it’s more effective to do things that will care for our soul, and by doing that, we will care for our minds as well. The YouVersion app has a prayer section with nice, soothing music and prayer prompts, which I think are helpful to start a conversation with God. It gives me space to honor God, share my concerns, thank Him, and just spend time with Him. It’s nice because it’s in the same app as my Bible, and I can add prayer concerns to my list. It will take me through the list whenever I pray. When I stay connected to God, His Holy Spirit ministers to my spirit, and I feel restored. Sometimes I cry to the Lord in deep anguish about heartbreak in my life, and sometimes I sing to Him in worship or thank Him in joy.
When God created the world, He rested on the 7th day to teach us the importance of rest. It was so important to God, in fact, that He commanded His people to rest. Rest (or Sabbath) is really hard for most of us, but one of the most helpful pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten is that if you work with your hands, you should Sabbath with your mind, and if you work with your mind, you should Sabbath with your hands. If I’m doing a lot of writing, I need to be active and work with my hands to give my mind a break. But on days when I’m doing ceramics or out for the whole day, I might rest by using my mind. Maybe I read a book, play a game, or take time to write.
Rest is different for everyone, and it’s important for you to find the way that works best for you. Here are a few questions that might help you through the process of finding what works for you:
- Do you work more with your mind or your hands?
- What makes you feel most restored?
- How often do you connect with God? Do you need to spend time with Him more often? Does your soul need to be refreshed?
- How can you incorporate self-care into your week?
Katelyn