A Four Part Series
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When we feel like we’re bombarded by life’s problems, it’s natural to want them to just disappear. Deep down though, we know that’s not going to happen. Apart from “death and taxes”, there doesn’t seem to be anything more certain than the next challenge being just around the corner.
So, if our tough times are not going away any time soon, what can we do about them?
Getting A Foothold
One of the main principles of this blog is that to become more resilient in the face of life’s troubles, we first need a foothold. I’ve often felt as though my challenges are like being in a glass room with no door. The only way out is to climb the high glass walls and escape through the open roof. (Believe it or not, that was actually a dream I had one night!) But how do you get that foothold?
Simple. You start looking after yourself.
Put Self-Care First
Just like we’re all told on a plane, we need to put our oxygen mask on first before helping others.1 If you are by nature a caring person, the chances are you will at some point feel like you’re letting other people down if you’re not there for them. So, straight away there’s a tendency to practise other-care instead of self-care. And the thought of prioritising ourselves just leads to feelings of guilt, doesn’t it?
But you know don’t you?
Do I really need to tell you?
Okay, let me spell it out.
You will be able to help other people much better if you come from a position of strength and health.
Dai says – Put Self-Care First!
What’s In The Series?
The first form of self-care we’re covering here is meditation2 and this post is an introduction to a series of short articles on meditation to
- inform
- inspire
- get you started
- keep you at it (and I won’t give up till you do!)
No. 1 Self-Care Activity
I believe very, very passionately, that if you are to do one thing to improve your self-care then it should be to start a meditation practice. The benefits are colossal and are right up there with the positive effects of regular physical exercise.
Next time, I’ll share some of those evidence-based benefits of meditation with you and many of them will surprise you. Science is catching up with the ancient practice of meditation and what it shows is absolutely astonishing. I’ll also talk about
- what meditation is
- how people use it
- the different kinds of meditation
In the third article in the series, I’ll give you a little inspiration to get started by showing how meditation has changed other people’s lives – including my own.
The fourth article is how to get started. It’ll discuss
- how to meditate
- tips from my own practice
- how to build a habit to keep at it
- what you can expect from your experience
And at the end of it, you’ll have the Ultimate Wacky Dai Guide to Meditation!
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
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- I’m indebted to Paul McGee for the analogy.
- To read about other forms of self-care and the platform they can give you to get your life back on track, subscribe to the weekly Wacky Dai email for exclusive content and to keep informed of future blogposts on self-care.