Rewriting Your Self-Care Story:
Transforming the Inner Archetypes That Undermine Us
There are millions of articles, blogs, tips, and tools on how to practice the art of self-care. We KNOW what to do…but why don’t we always do it?
What is the reason that we put everything and everyone before our own wellbeing?
Why do we sacrifice our precious energy and give it away so willingly and then left feeling resentful and depleted? It is a vicious cycle that stays in repeat. Which is precisely why we need to get to the core issue.
Let’s explore some of the self-sabotaging archetypes we tend to fall into:
The Martyr
The Martyr sacrifices their own needs for others, believing this is their duty and purpose. This manifests as over giving while neglecting personal wellbeing. Martyrs must learn that taking care of themselves enables them to better care for others. Self-care is not selfish - it's self-honoring.
The People Pleaser :
The People Pleaser craves external validation, going to unhealthy extremes to gain approval, appreciation, and affection. People pleasers must cultivate self-approval and set boundaries to honor their own needs, not just others. Pleasing yourself is the ultimate self-care.
The Hero
The Hero pushes themselves to exhaustion in the pursuit of achievement and accolades. Heroes need to recognize that rest and renewal are essential to sustainable success. Even heroes need off-days for self-care.
The Victim:
The Victim feels powerless in life's circumstances, stuck in inertia and complaining. Victims must take back their power by being proactive with self-care. Minor daily actions create major change.
Here are 4 alternative archetypes that one could step into instead:
The Self-Cherisher nurtures themselves with love, kindness, and compassion. They indulge in soul-filling activities and celebrate their uniqueness. The Self-Cherisher understands that self-acceptance is the foundation of self-care.
The Mindfulness Guru lives in a state of intentional presence. They prioritize stillness, self-reflection and tuning into their mind-body connection. For the Mindfulness Guru, self-care is a daily meditation and conscious way of being.
The Boundary Boss courageously communicates their needs and sets firm limits. They know when enough is enough and preserve their energy for priorities. The Boundary Boss aligns actions with values by establishing self-care boundaries.
The Fun Fanatic chases joy and taps into their inner childlike wonder. They seek out playtime, adventure, and creative pursuits simply for the love of it. For the Fun Fanatic, self-care is about feeling vibrantly alive.
Stepping into these archetypes can help override tendencies for self-neglect.
They provide empowering lenses of self-compassion to transform your mindset and habits. By embodying these archetypes, you rewrite subconscious stories of self-care in an uplifting direction.
Give yourself permission today to be the Self-Cherisher, Mindfulness Guru, Boundary Boss or Fun Fanatic you were meant to be.
