Filling Your Cup: On the Art of Self-Care

How many metaphorical (or literal) falls could you avoid if you took better care of yourself and your needs?

A lot of people who come to my yoga classes or sign up for mindfulness courses openly say they’re doing it to take care of themselves. Honestly, no matter how many times I hear that, it always melts my heart. But it also makes me realize how rarely we give ourselves those moments of self-care in our daily lives. We rush around, taking care of everyone else, and by the end of the day, we’re just too exhausted to do one more thing for ourselves.

And when we let our minds wander and start imagining what might help in those moments, it often leads to big dreams. Who hasn’t thought, “I seriously need a month-long break from everything RIGHT NOW,” or “Please, can I just have a two-week solo yoga retreat?” And no doubt, those are fabulous ideas! The thing is, they’re not really realistic for most of us.

Small Pleasures Go a Long Way

That’s where the problem starts. These fantasies add to the frustration of our current situation, draining our energy even more. And on top of that, we lose sight of the things that could actually bring relief. When your thoughts are off somewhere far away, you miss all those little things that could brighten your day here and now.

We’ve too easily bought into the idea that self-care requires a high-limit credit card and grand experiences. But sometimes, all it takes is slowing down and noticing the daily things that nourish you and make you happy. And let’s be honest, you won’t find that in the hustle.

My latest favourite way to fill my cup daily is through food. Not that I wasn’t eating before, but lately, I’ve felt like I want to focus more on it. So, I reached out to a dietitian who suggested a specific diet. When I first looked at it, I felt a bit panicked, thinking, “Now I’ll spend even more time in the kitchen, and I DON’T HAVE time!” But then something else clicked: “Isn’t taking the time to properly nourish my body a form of self-care?” And suddenly, that initial time pressure and panic seemed to melt away, replaced by a warm feeling inside.

Avoiding Falls

The renowned Vietnamese meditation teacher Thich Nhat Hanh shares a parable in his book The Miracle of Mindfulness that has stuck with me:

“There once were a couple of acrobats. The teacher was a poor widower, and the student was a small girl named Meda. The two of them performed in the streets to earn enough to eat. They used a tall bamboo pole, which the teacher balanced on the top of his head while the little girl slowly climbed to the top. There she remained while the teacher continued to walk along the ground.

Both of them had to devote all their attention to maintain a perfect balance and to prevent any accident from occurring. One day, the teacher instructed the pupil: ‘Listen, Meda, I will watch you and you watch me, so that we can help each other maintain concentration and balance and prevent an accident. Then we’ll be sure to earn enough to eat.’ But the little girl was wise and answered, ‘Dear master, I think it would be better for each of us to watch ourselves. To look after oneself means to look after both of us. That way I am sure we’ll avoid any accident and will earn enough to eat.‘”

So, how many metaphorical (or literal) falls could you avoid if you took better care of yourself and your needs?

Leading by Example

Self-care isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. As Meda said, looking after yourself also means you’re better equipped to look out for others—not just those closest to you, but everyone around you. When you see it that way, self-care takes on a whole new, universal meaning, which is something we, as a society, really need right now. Plus, by turning our focus inward, we set an example for others, showing that even in this constant hustle and relentless push for growth and productivity, it’s possible to live differently—with more mindfulness and care.

That’s what I wish for you today—hoping that at some point, you can slow down and give yourself the attention and time you deserve.