#173: Beyond Bubble Bath: The Real Work of Self-Care

Welcome to the Everything EC Podcast, I'm your host, Carla Ward, and today we're diving into one of the most important yet misunderstood topics for early childhood educators, self-care. And no, I am not talking about bubble baths and scented candles, though those are nice too. Today we're going deeper, we're talking about self-care that truly supports your mind, body, and spirit, so you can show up as your best self for the children and families you serve. Before we dive in, I want to let you know about a free resource I've created just for you. It's called the self-care guide for early childhood educators connecting with yourself. This guide is packed with reflective exercises, actionable tips, and insights grounded in research to help you prioritize your well-being. You can download it now at ELfoundations.com/selfcareguide. Now let's get started. Self-care isn't just about pampering yourself. It's about creating habits and routines that help you thrive, not just survive. Global self-care supports your mental and physical health while helping you reconnect with your purpose. It's about checking in with yourself and asking, what do I need to feel balanced and fulfilled? Let's talk about what happens when self-care is neglected. Studies show that chronic stress impacts everything, your focus, your relationships, and even your immune system. There was a point in my career when I was so stressed that it started to put a serious strain on my relationship with my then-boyfriend now husband. It got so bad that we actually banned the name of one of my co-teachers from being mentioned in our apartment. Can you imagine you're banning someone's name from your apartment because it is causing so much stress? That's when I realized stress wasn't just affecting me, it was affecting the people I cared about most. And it's not just relationships. Neglecting self-care can also lead to neglecting your basic needs. I'll share something personal. There was a time in my life when I didn't have any boundaries. I was putting the center and everyone else first and myself dead last. How bad was it? I was so behind on laundry that I ended up wearing my bathing suit to work, not once, but twice under my clothes because I had nothing clean to wear. Take a page out of my book. Take care of yourself. One concept that really resonated with me recently comes from Mel Robbins' book Let Them. It's a powerful reminder to let people do what they're going to do. Let them misunderstand you. Let them have their opinions. This isn't about being passive. It's about releasing control over things that aren't yours to manage. For educators, this can look like letting go of the need to fix everything for everyone and instead focusing on what's within your power. Your energy, your mindset, and your actions. I learned this the hard way. For years, I let guilt tripping and other people's expectations control how I spent my time. I was burning the candle at both ends and it finally caught up with me. One night I landed up in the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack. It turned out to be an anxiety attack, but it was my body's way of saying enough. Letting go of what you can't control isn't just freeing. It's life saving. Speaking of what matters, let's talk about boundaries. Boundaries are one of the most important aspects of self-care. But they're also one of the hardest to implement. I want to challenge you to think about one area where you've been overextending yourself. Maybe it's taking on extra tasks at work or saying yes to commitments when you'd rather say no. Setting boundaries can be as simple as saying, "I need to think about that before I commit." It's okay to create a space for yourself. In fact, it's necessary. I've included reflection prompts in the self-care guide to help you identify where you need to set boundaries and how to communicate them effectively. You can download the guide at elfoundations.com/selfcareguide. Your powerful practice for self-care is celebrating small wins. This is something we often overlook because we're so focused on the big picture. But think about it, every day is made up of tiny victories. Maybe you helped to child learn a new skill or took five minutes to breathe deeply during a hectic moment. This wins matter because they keep us connected to the joy of what we do. Start a win journal. At the end of each day, jot down one thing you did well. Over time, you'll build a collection of positive moments to look back on. This practice isn't just uplifting, it's also a powerful reminder of your impact. Now, let's talk about actionable self-care strategies you can start today. First, create a morning ritual that sets a positive tone for your day. This could be five minutes of deep breathing, journaling, or simply enjoying your coffee without distractions. Next, incorporate gratitude into your daily routine. Write down one thing you're grateful for each day. It doesn't have to be big. It could be as simple as a child's smile or a kind word from a colleague. Another strategy is to spend time in nature. Even a short walk outside can reduce stress and improve your mood. And finally, prioritize rest. This doesn't just mean getting enough sleep. It also means giving yourself permission to take breaks during the day. I want to leave you with this. Self-care isn't selfish. It's essential. When you take care of yourself, you're not just supporting your own well-being. You're also showing up as your best self for the children and families in your care. So let's make self-care a non-negotiable part of our lives. Don't forget to download your free self-care guide at elfoundations.com/selfcareguide. It's packed with tools and insights to help you implement everything we've talked about today. Thank you so much for tuning into this episode. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow educator. We all need more help for self-care. And remember, you deserve to be cared for too. Until next time, take care of yourself.