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Mary J Peterson

What Does Self-Care Look Like?

It takes a lot to build a business, yet all you entrepreneurs out there keep on constructing!

We want you to succeed in your work, but at WOMADE, we're not just a coworking space. We're a community. So I'm here to remind you to take a moment for some self-care. Not only do you deserve to take care of yourself, but it's actually be better for your business, too!


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What does it mean, self-care?


Five extra minute in bed in the morning? Possibly! Self-care is the process of looking after your emotional, mental and/or physical health. As we each have our own paths in life, we each have our own set of activities that qualify as self-care. There's no one-size-fits-all solution. It's entirely individual, so you'll have to find what works for you.


When thinking of what you want to do, it's important to also remember that self-care is about doing things to reduce stress, to allow yourself to relax. It doesn't mean filling up your routine with things you have to do, but adding in moments for things you like to do. Conversely, it can also mean removing things from your life that bring you stress. A good coworking space can help you offload your stressors by having a conversation with the womxn around you.


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Why is it necessary?


Because health matters. Because you matter.


Taking time for yourself will not only decrease your stress levels (and loosen those shoulders), it will also help you clear your mind. When you have a never-ending to-do-list, it may quickly feel like you need to run through it at any and every spare moment. A few extra seconds here and there to try and problem-solve for the next step. Sound familiar?


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In order to process everything you experience, your brain needs downtime. This time-away-from-work allows different parts of your mind to be active. It's referred to as the Default Mode Network (DMN).


Why do our best ideas come in the shower? It's because of the DMN. The active neural networks change and our minds are at ease. This ease allows more creative thinking and our creative problem-solving happens in the background. These kinds of breaks have many benefits.




Here are Some Examples of Self-care


There are so many activities that could fall under this heading.

You have to do what makes you feel better. Whatever brings you peace of mind.


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Here's a little glimpse at what self-care can look like. It is by no means exhaustive, but hopefully it can inspire some good self-care moments for you.


- Saying 'no' to other people and tasks you don't have the mental space to take on

- Playing with a pet

- Cooking yourself a nice meal

- Reading a book

- Being vulnerable with friends (You don't have to shoulder your problems alone)


Here's an example of my daily little moments of self-care .

  • Enjoying a stimulating book as I drink my morning coffee

  • Taking a fifteen minute break to stretch in the morning

  • Grabbing a calm moment as I put lotion on my hands

  • Enjoying my (friend-group-)famous sandwiches for lunch

  • Taking a short 10 minute walk after lunch with a hot coffee

  • Calling a friend in the evening to chat about our lives

For those special days in the year, when I have a difficult or trying task, I buy myself a little treat: Lillicup cupcakes. ♥️



What does self-care look like to you?

Do you have any tips to share with the WOMADE community?

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