The Role of Self-care

Happiness isn't the absence of negative emotions; it's the ability to process them effectively. Self-care provides the necessary space for this processing.

Self-care is how you replenish your emotional, mental, and physical reserves. Think of your well-being as a bank account. Every stressful event, challenging conversation, or demanding task is a withdrawal.

• Self-Care is the Deposit: Activities like good sleep, nourishing food, quiet time, and boundary setting are deposits. Without consistent deposits (self-care), your account runs dry, leading to burnout, irritability, and a severely limited capacity for joy.

• Happiness requires Energy: It takes energy to be present, to be grateful, to be kind, and to tackle new challenges. Self-care ensures that energy is there.

Self-care should be proactive, not reactive. Don't wait until you're already broken to start mending!

Action: Identify one self-care activity (it should take less than 15 minutes) that you can commit to doing every day for the next week. This is your non-negotiable happiness insurance.

• Example: 5 minutes of focused breathing, drinking a full glass of water, or reading a pleasure book before bed.