Energy Reading June 21–27, 2022: Grant Yourself Ample Self-Care This Week

What a wonderful world it would be if we all gave ourselves permission to take care of ourselves. Some believe taking time to take care of yourself is selfish, but in fact, when we care for ourselves, we are better able to care for others.

We are more resourced, more resilient, and have more energy when our needs are met. Just like on airplanes when they tell parents to put their oxygen masks on first so they're able to take care of their kids, we need to treat our needs first if we want to help others.

This week asks us to show up for ourselves in the most comforting of ways. Eating good food, getting under a cozy blanket (or if you're being hit with a heat wave, kicking that blanket off and sitting under a fan going full blast), staying in if that feels good, being with friends if that is the ultimate comfort for you—whatever it is that makes sure you are giving yourself what you need.

With social media's omnipresence, it can feel difficult to turn your attention inward in terms of knowing what you need and further, feeling validated by yourself. When we're trained to look outward to see what we "should" be doing, it can be challenging to switch that energy up to give to ourselves.

The other energy I'm tuning in to this week is no doubt in relation to the solstice, which happens on Tuesday. In the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the beginning of summer, and in the Southern, it's the time when the days start getting longer again. This energy feels both celebratory and expansive. 

Because of this, there may be times when you feel like being more extroverted, getting outside, dancing, having fun with friends, etc. But then, you may feel the inward pull to stay home and hunker down that I was talking about before. Both of these energy signatures are serving different needs, so you can still practice caring for yourself by following whichever impulse feels stronger. 

The underlying current of all of this is gratitude. Whether you're out celebrating or staying home, I'm tuning in to a feeling of heart-opening gratitude, and feeling that gratitude for whatever is present in your life right now feels extra expansive this week.

This is a great week to do some gratitude journaling. At the start of the day, think of five things you're grateful for, and see if you can feel into your body when you think of them.