Renewing One of My Self-Care Practices

Sometimes, we are unable to stick with our self-care practices. For whatever reason - life changes, sickness, boredom, depression, new relationships - stepping away can provide an opportunity to reframe our unique individual needs and return to practice with tools that align with our current inner self.

During grad school, I struggled with self-care when some familiar routines were no longer possible. Certain scents had been comforting to me. I began exploring other ways to care for myself while respecting fragrance sensitivities in shared spaces.

That change prompted me to reflect on how I adapt my routines, and how I can make room for my own needs alongside other people’s.

I am learning to find ways to enjoy familiar comforts while respecting other people’s needs in shared spaces.

Finding the balance between what others needed and learning to be ok with putting myself first is an ongoing learning process. It takes courage and practice. It is the ultimate balance of your needs and the needs of others.

I am returning to familiar self-care practices in ways that suit my circumstances, including being mindful of fragrance in shared spaces. For more on rest and responsibility, read Balancing Rest and Responsibility.

Self-Care, Boundaries, and People-Pleasing in Therapy

Self-care is often presented as something pleasant and easy — a bath, a candle, a face mask. But real self-care often requires the harder work of setting boundaries, saying no, and putting your own needs first. For people-pleasers, this can feel deeply uncomfortable. In therapy, we explore where people-pleasing patterns come from, how they show up in your daily life, and what it would look like to honour your own needs without guilt. This is some of the most transformative work I see in my practice — the moment when someone realizes that taking care of themselves is not selfish, it is essential.

If boundaries and self-care feel like things you know you need but cannot quite get to, therapy can help you close that gap. Book a free consultation and let's figure out where to start.

Until next time,

- Bethany

This post is for reflection and educational purposes. It is not a substitute for individual counselling, diagnosis, or medical advice.

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