That’s not self-care: unhelpful habits people often confuse for self-care

When I need to ground myself or get out of a funk, I cook or sing.

Not too busy at all!” Vanessa replied. (Yes, that very same Vanessa you read on NEP newsletters). I was a tad befuddled. All the weddings I’ve known have been extremely involved. And she was inviting me to stay for. . a week!?

In the cult of The 5am Club, it’s easy to see yourself as less of a productive or successful person if you’re not an early riser. Or, if you don’t wear the same clothes everyday like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg. I could go on, but you get the drift.

Our biggest enforced holiday of the year has just passed. For most of us that means we took a good week or two (maybe more) away from work and all the stresses that comes with that.

How do you deal with a boss who might think you’re not committed if you have outside interests that might need flexibility? I was asked this question recently at a networking event I was speaking at and love that people are thinking about and challenging this mindset.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m well into my Masters in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health. I’m studying at King’s College London (by distance) as they have onsite research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN). Yes, it’s every bit as hectic as it sounds but I’m really, really loving it.

So I just finished a session with my amazing personal trainer Iker. Many people say it feels like their trainer is like a trainer and therapist in one. In our case he is the trainer and I play the role of therapist!

Late last year, I was having one of the most awesome weeks – clients were getting back to me, meetings were happening, I was back at training hitting levels no one was expecting, my family was happy, and my parents had offered to look after our daughter for the weekend. And it was shaping up to be an all-round awesome weekend as well…

It started with my closet. I have always known that sorting out my clothes leads to easier days when I’m under pressure, as choices are clearer and I can see what I have to work with. I think I “sort out” my closet twice a year at least. However, this year I’ve come across the concept of “essentialism”.