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We've all been there, haven’t we?
Life feels like a whirlwind—you’re juggling responsibilities, managing stress, and trying to squeeze in a moment for yourself. So, you decide to practice a little self-care. Maybe it’s a warm bath, a yoga session, or zoning out with your favourite TV show. Yet somehow, even after all that, you’re still feeling drained.
Sound familiar?
If so, you’re not alone. And here’s the thing: it’s not because you’re doing anything wrong. The truth is, we often confuse self-care with self-soothing, and while both have their place, they’re not the same.
The Comfort of Self-Soothing
Self-soothing is a quick fix for moments when stress feels overwhelming. It’s the cup of tea after a tough meeting, scrolling on your phone to distract yourself, or taking a moment to pause and collect your thoughts when you’re on the verge of snapping. These small acts of comfort are important—they help us manage in the moment.
But here’s the catch: self-soothing doesn’t address why you’re feeling overwhelmed in the first place. It’s like putting a band-aid on a splinter—it offers short-term relief, but the underlying issue remains.
What True Self-Care Looks Like
Real self-care goes deeper. It’s not just about feeling better for a moment but creating a life where you feel supported and empowered every day. It’s about moving out of survival mode—the constant fight, flight, or freeze response—and into a state where you can truly thrive.
Here’s an example: imagine you’re running on empty after weeks of non-stop stress. A self-soothing activity, like a hot bath, might help you relax for the evening. But true self-care would involve asking, why am I feeling this way? It might mean setting boundaries at work, carving out regular time for yourself, or working on releasing patterns that keep you stuck in survival mode.
Real self-care isn’t always glamorous, but it’s powerful. It helps you meet your needs before they turn into exhaustion, resentment, or burnout.
Why We Get Stuck in Survival Mode
One reason many of us stay stuck in self-soothing is that we’re constantly in survival mode. This happens when our nervous system perceives everyday challenges as threats, keeping us on high alert. It’s no wonder we end up feeling frazzled, reactive, and exhausted.
However, if your body is stuck in a fight/flight/freeze response, self-soothing can only go so far. To truly move forward, it's crucial to work with your nervous system—helping it feel safe, supported, and ready to rest.
Ready to Shift from Survival to Thriving?
If you’re nodding along, thinking, This is me, I want you to know there’s a way out of the cycle. It starts with understanding the difference between quick fixes and true care—and giving yourself permission to go deeper.
That’s why I’ve created a free email course as a starting point to explore these ideas.
In it, you’ll learn:
- Why self-soothing might not be helping you feel better long-term.
- How survival mode impacts your ability to care for yourself.
- Simple, practical steps to start shifting into self-care that feels more sustainable and supportive.
This course isn’t about offering all the answers—it’s about sparking awareness and helping you take that first step toward deeper self-care.
Join Me on This Journey
Imagine small but meaningful shifts that help you feel calmer, more supported, and less overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Imagine starting your day with clarity about what you need, rather than just reacting to stress.
This email course is your invitation to begin exploring what self-care can look like when it truly supports you. It’s not about perfection or doing more—it’s about starting where you are, with curiosity and compassion.
Click here to sign up https://www.experiencebalance.com.au/shift, and let’s take this step together.
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