5 Unique Ways Self-care Will Boost Your Self-esteem
Self-care is a big buzzword these days, right? But what does it mean? Well, most of the time, we think of it as treating ourselves to fancy spa days or hitting the golf course with our pals. For some, it's about enjoying a romantic dinner or hitting the gym regularly to stay healthy. Even taking a few minutes to sip coffee and scroll through social media can be self-care. 
But it's more than just pampering ourselves—it's about doing things that help us live well and feel good physically and mentally. It's about managing stress and reducing the risk of getting sick. And guess what? Even small things we do every day can make a big difference!
Lately, I've been emphasizing the importance of raising kids to be their best selves, and here's the secret-it all starts with us, as parents. I've been sharing practical tips like asserting ourselves, practicing self-discipline, and forgiving. It might seem like a lot, but remember, we can take it one step at a time. 
Self-care is about nurturing our minds and about how we perceive ourselves. When we have a strong sense of self-worth, we feel more empowered to navigate life's highs and lows, including parenting challenges.
Speaking of parenting, setting boundaries is a big part of self-care. —it's respectfully standing up for what we deserve, which can make a big difference in how we parent and handle other stresses in life.
Self-care is also about nurturing our relationships. When we address conflicts instead of letting them fester, we're not just taking care of ourselves but also fostering healthier connections. 
And forgiveness? That's a significant part of it, too. Holding onto grudges can weigh us down, but forgiving others (and ourselves) can lighten the load and help us move forward, strengthening our bonds with others.
The best self-care I gave myself was forgiving my parents, particularly my mother. I can’t remember my age exactly, maybe around ten years old, but I knew something was wrong with my mom. She didn’t behave like a mom should. 
I vividly remember the day I talked to my Dad about my concerns. We lived on the water, and my Dad and I were on our sailboat moored off-shore. Dad was working on the boat while I talked, and he listened. 
Mom was sitting on the beach when Dad and I were talking. When we got to shore, She said, “I heard every word you said.” The wind had carried my voice. I felt devastated.
 It wasn’t until after my mom's passing that I learned the dynamics between my mother and myself. What I experienced was a role reversal. My mom expected me to meet her needs and listen to her problems. 
At the same time, my needs as a child were invalidated or shamed. I was there for my mom, but she was never there for me. When I acted like a child, she would get angry with me, as if how dare I do this to her. In other words, how dare you make me behave like a parent should. Consequently, as a child, parenting my mom also meant I was there to parent my three siblings. 
I am telling you this because I needed to forgive my mother to reach my full potential and live a happy life. Not forget what happened, but let go of the anger and regrets for the childhood that I lost and the anxiety and depression that I suffered...

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