Self-care for healing after emotional trauma, rejection, or betrayal is crucial for healing. There is so much more to self-care and self-discipline than exercising, getting up early, and eating clean!
(Yes, I still struggle with those!)
Please note that this article contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
Incorporating all your ‘selves’ into your extreme Self-Care will help you make great strides towards healing and growth. Embrace yourself!
Self-care requires and can be a reward for self-discipline.
Self-discipline includes a lot of other-selves…
For example self-introspection, self-control, self-direction, self-motivation, self-guidance, self-confidence, self-denial, self-government, self-sufficient and self-styled!!
#1 Self-control is Self-Discipline’s Twin
Grab your Grit!
Not that different than self-discipline, right?
Both include elements of self-restraint, self-command; willpower, purposefulness, strong-mindedness, resolve, moral fiber; doggedness, persistence, determination, and grit. (Dictionary App)
When you choose self-care and self-discipline as a lifestyle you are going to need grit!
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Grit and Grace: Devotions for Warrior MomsGrit: How to Keep Going When You Want to Give Up
#2 Self Introspection: rooted in self-care & self-discipline.
Without examining ourselves and doing a little soul-searching – self-discipline either fails or is simply an exercise in pride.
And it is my belief that when our self-care is based on pride, its benefits are limited. It won’t change us or mature us – at least not for His glory. We might look great on the outside, but still, be wasting away on the inside. Indeed, self-care without purpose or rooted in selfish motivation is pretty meaningless. Moreover, If we have not taken the time for self-introspection it may prove difficult to maintain self-care.
Playing the Matrix: A Program for Living Deliberately and Creating ConsciouslyStart Where You Are: A Journal for Self-ExplorationSelf Observation: The Awakening of Conscience: An Owner’s Manual
#3 Self-Direction need for Self-Care
Self-direction is the map you obtain after your introspection and soul-searching. It is the road you travel with self-control. Make sure your self-care is mapped out with self-direction that works for you.
If you struggle with consistency in self-care, it may be that you are not personalizing your plan. The amount of self-discipline it requires to maintain somebody else’s self-care or fitness or clean eating plan may prove too much.
Individualize and explore until you find a perfect fit for your lifestyle, your personality, situation, and the season of your life. Planning self-care is most successful when you take yourself into serious consideration!
An Invitation to Self-Care: Why Learning to Nurture Yourself Is the Key to the Life You’ve Always Wanted, 7 Principles for Abundant Living (1)The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-CareSELF-CARE REVOLUTION: 5 Pillars to Prevent Burnout and Build Sustainable Resilience for Helping Professionals
#4 Self-Motivation, the Key
Aha! We have arrived at the crux of the matter! Without self-motivation, you are relying on extrinsic factors to keep you going. When we find our intrinsic motivation we are much more likely to succeed in our goals and direction.
When our self-care comes from within and from the understanding that it is not selfish but rather needed and good then we are ready to embrace life with self-care and self-discipline!
If you are having a difficult time with self-motivation, I highly recommend you check out the book The Self Care Prescription, author Robyn L. Gobin, Ph.D. Gobins shares some potent methods to allow you to manage your stress and decrease the amount of anxiety you suffer from.
It also goes over some specific situations, like what to do whenever anxiety or despair has you in their grip – or how to handle life when your motivation plummets and you can’t seem to rise back up to function properly.
#5 Self-Guidance (the navigator for Self-Care and Self-Discipline)
Self-guidance is our navigator that makes sure we are staying on the course that we created during self-direction. You must give her the job and allow her to be in charge. She is the wheels of self-discipline.
Think about what a well-oiled machine of extreme self-care you will become when you get all these selves working on the same team!
#6 Self-Confidence Combined with Self-Care & Self-Discipline
Belief in oneself and one’s ability to get the job done. Contentment with oneself.
It is the satisfaction that indeed, you are enough.
Self-confidence is concerned with impressing no one.
It is a place of being contained and not needing or even wanting others’ praise (or caring if they ridicule).
Self-care and self-discipline are joyful when self-confidence is on board.
The Self Confidence Workbook: A Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Improving Self-EsteemThe Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should KnowThe Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence: A Proven Formula That Has Worked for Thousands
#7 Self Denial; a form of Self-Discipline
Is your friend in times of need? When all the selves take a break and don’t seem to want to step up the plate to do what is right – ask self-denial to take over.
She is the woman for the job. She can help you hold your tongue, get on the treadmill or keep persevering just a little longer. Keep her around. She is pretty cool.
Both self-care and self-discipline need her in healthy doses.
Fasting, Discipline, and Self-Control: Combining Self-Denial With Self-ControlIn the Shadow of Greatness: Five Remarkable Women Who Served the Genius of AnotherShadow of the Cross: Studies in Self Denial
#8 Self-Government is Self-Discipline in Action
If you function outside of Christian or military spaces, you may be somewhat unfamiliar with this term. We are talking here about our God-given freedom to determine for and rule ourselves.
If I am self-disciplined, choosing rightly, in complete freedom, my authority has an easy job when it comes to rule over me. I’m already doing it of my own will.
#9 Self-sufficient
Independent. I can do this. I got it. Self-discipline needs just the right amount of self-sufficiency.
Too much and we don’t get help where we need it.
Too little and we are needy and unable to keep up with forwarding momentum.
#10 Self-Styled Self-Care and Self-Disciplined – The Only Way to Win
You need to do things the way that best suits you in order to succeed.
How often have you failed to be self-disciplined because you were trying to fit into someone else’s mold or plan?
Be yourself, know yourself.
Create your course and run it at your own pace.
Be you; the you, you were created to be!
Please note that this article contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
this has some really helpful explanations. Love the definitions! sharing with friends!
Such great tips, I loved all 10 of them. Thank you for sharing.
That’s awesome, thanks Crissy!