self-care does not 
merely mean 
time out with friends 
or bubble baths. 
yes, these things 
are lovely, but 
self-care honours 
habits more 
significant 
than these.

it might be 
showing yourself 
the compassion that 
you might routinely 
offer others and 
then presenting 
yourself a pass
to imperfection
as well.

it may be living by the 
values you hold dear
because they form 
who you are and
you will not thrive 
if you are not true 
to these. 

things like integrity, 
standing up for 
fairness, humility, 
loyalty and respect. 
whatever is the 
bedrock of your soul, 
and what makes 
your particular 
personality tick. 

then there is lifting up 
your very own voice 
in situations that matter,
embracing and 
expressing the 
power that you wield 
as valuable human. 

and last, but most 
definitely not least,
keeping boundaries
that protect and 
serve and allow 
you to respect
yourself 
and others. 

these are all 
significant parts
of caring for you. 
these assist you 
to recharge
and flourish, 
to grow and 
to be healthy
for yourself
and others
long-term. 

©Heather Pound 2023

image:Giulia Bertelli via Unsplash