Compassion for ourselves often means taking responsibility for our physical and emotional well-being, but what about the health of our surroundings and community? It might surprise you to learn that self-care can — and should — extend beyond the realm of just yourself; nurturing your environment and the people within it is an essential part of self-caring. From volunteering in the community to tending to a garden, in this article we explore how self-care not only enriches your life, but the lives of those around you.
1. Looking Inward to Look Outward: “Self-Care Beyond Yourself”
We are all familiar with the term “self-care” and what it means – taking time for yourself and doing things that make you feel good or that give you a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. But what about “self-care beyond yourself”?
Meeting our own needs for a sense of security, contentment, and joy can often distract us from being aware of the needs of those around us – from our immediate family to people around the world. Self-care beyond yourself requires you to check in with those out there too and start building a mindset of connecting your own self-care to the care of others.
Here are a few inspiring ways to practice self-care beyond yourself:
- Connect with your neighbours. Get to know them by having meaningful conversations or by hosting a potluck dinner.
- Reach out to someone in your community who is struggling. Offer to buy groceries or provide transportation.
- Join a social action movement. Whether it’s advocating for equitable housing, fighting racism, supporting immigrants’ rights, or speaking up for environmental justice, your activism can create a ripple effect. 2. Making a Difference: Cultivating Relationships with Your Surroundings
Most of us spend our days in close contact with our immediate surroundings, but often we don’t take the time to get to know them in any meaningful way. It’s easy to remain aloof and unengaged while moving through our days without noticing or appreciating those around us. By taking the time to cultivate relationships with our surroundings, however, we can make a real difference.
Learn to Notice the Little Things
Start by becoming more aware of the small details which make up our day to day lives. Pay attention to the people you interact with: learn the names of those working at businesses you frequent, make an effort to hold more conversations with the neighbors on your block, and seek out interesting conversations with strangers while in public. Acknowledge and appreciate the landscapes, buildings, and art you may pass, while learning more about local history. Make an effort to savor your food, and be aware of the ingredients used to make it. By opening yourself to the beauty around you, it will become easier to appreciate the people, places, and things that shape your world.
Small acts of kindness can also help you build bridges with your community. Say thankful words for those around you who make your day smoother, offer help when it’s needed, or help keep public spaces clean. Get involved with local groups either through volunteering or other activities. By showing consideration for the people and places in our lives, we show that we care, making us more likely to draw connections with others.
Connect with your Surroundings
We each have our own individual ways of interacting with our surroundings. The key is to find the forms of communication that make us feel the most fulfilled. Maybe it’s talking with others, listening and appreciating the natural environment, or simply observing without the need to engage. Our ability to connect with our surroundings is an invaluable source of connection and understanding.
- Take up a hobby that allows you to interact with your surroundings.
- Find ways to express yourself creatively.
- Make a conscious effort to appreciate the different facets of your environment.
- Learn about the people and organizations that make up your community.
By taking the time to understand and appreciate our surroundings, we give back to the people and places in our lives. We can make a positive impact on our environment and its inhabitants in meaningful ways. From simple acts of kindness to longer-term, deeper investment, our relationships with our surroundings can become strong support systems and help us become more connected to the world around us.
3. Building Your Environment and Community Through Care and Compassion
Successfully leading and developing an environment for growth and progress requires more than just ambition and determination. Care and compassion must go hand-in-hand with the development of personnel, the building of relationships and the maintenance of a supportive and unified community.
- Show genuine care for the people around you – Never underestimate the power of simply listening to someone and showing sincere interest in their life. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of everyday life, but taking the time to simply show care and concern can do wonders for your team or community.
- Focus on building relationships – Don’t let the success of the cause come at the expense of your relationships. Meaningful and productive connections depend on trust, understanding, and a generosity of spirit. Invest in them and make sure to never take them for granted.
- Openly display empathy – We’re all human and we all experience difficult times. Showing empathy for those with whom you work and live, and being upfront about the fact that we all have our own set of challenges and worries, is so important in fostering an environment of care and compassion.
- Engender respect for diversity – A diverse group can add so much value to a team, a project or a community, and it is important that everyone respects one another’s differences. Work to create an environment in which everyone feels respected, heard and welcome.
- Be considerate – Little things make all the difference. Whether it’s a free cup of coffee for your team, supporting a colleague’s endeavor or simply acknowledging someone’s hard work, it helps to foster an atmosphere of care and community.
- Be mindful of your words – Negativity, criticism and gossip have no place in a welcoming and caring environment. Keeping discussions and conversations positive and productive will go a long way towards building a unified and supportive community.
Developing an environment through care and compassion isn’t something that happens overnight. It requires ongoing effort and dedication. Being attentive to the needs of those you lead, work with and interact with, and continually striving to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and appreciated, is the key to success.
4. Connecting with Your World: The Ripple Effect of Selfless Care
We often take for granted the consequences of our actions. One act of kindness can translucent in our world, becoming a wave of much-needed compassion for those around us. It is the power of selfless care, and how it can spread like a ripple on a still lake.
The way we treat others matters, especially when facing conflicts. By showing empathy and respect, we open the door for collaboration, linking people through a shared understanding of one another. It encourages people to listen intently, discarding any preconceived notions; creating a safe space for conversation and critical thought.
This honest exchange can set people on a path of listening more intently and understanding more profoundly what matters to the other person. It helps people be open to different perspectives and blend into the cultures of others. As they learn each other’s stories, they can better understand how the world works. At the same time, they are also attuned to recognize the unique thin-slicing of everyone’s true essence.
Regard and respect are also invaluable when it comes to building trust in relationships. It is the foundation of human connection and reinforces mutual respect. This trust espouses a sense of familiarity and safety, allowing people to deepen their connections without fear. The collaboration we seek can only come from the respect and understanding generated through trust.
Selfless care is a cornerstone of mutual empowerment. By valuing and respecting another person, we open the bridge of communication. We bring people together to understand one another more deeply, leading to honest and direct conversations. So, reach out, listen, and connect. Together we form a river of compassion, and it will always start from one tiny and pure drop.
- Empathy and respect open the door for collaboration
- Listen intently and understand what matters to the other person
- Respect and regard enable a bridge of communication
- Selfless care empowers both the giver and recipient
- Reach out, listen, and connect
We are often so wrapped up in the everyday hustle and bustle that we forget to give back to the community and nurture our surroundings. Taking care of ourselves is only one part of creating a healthier, more sustainable life. Extend yourself to your environment and community – you might be surprised by the difference it makes.
