Prioritizing Self-Care: How the Order of Our Loves Leads to Balance and Wellbeing Part 2

In our first blog on prioritizing self care, we talked about the importance of having an "Order of Loves", a roadmap for what matters most in our lives. If you missed it, don't worry! Just click the link to read Part 1,  trust me, it's worth the read. This simple exercise can be transformative in helping you align your life with your true priorities. 

Assuming you’ve got your roadmap, let's take it a step further. Reading about self-care is one thing, but actually prioritizing it in your own life, that’s where things can get tricky…

So, how do we take all of this great information and apply it to our own lives? How do we fit self-care into our already packed days without it feeling like just another thing to check off? (even though it’s satisfying to check those boxes isn’t it?) And when it comes to boundaries, how do we protect our time and energy while still being compassionate toward others?

Why Prioritizing Yourself Is Non-Negotiable

Finding time for self-care can feel impossible with everything going on, but the truth is, self-care is not just nice to include once in a while, It is mandatory. To be our best, we need to make self-care a non-negotiable priority.  I've learned that scheduling self-care isn't about squeezing in five-minute moments when I can. It's about intentionally carving out time for myself in a way that honors my "Order of Loves." 

This time looks very different for individuals depending on their versions of self-care. For you, that might mean a morning walk (maybe even without listening to your favorite podcast but actually listening to what's around you - it makes a big difference, trust me), a few moments of stillness before the day kicks off, or making sure you get enough sleep. I don't just hope that my self-care will happen today. I need to plan for it.  No excuses. I can say from personal experience that hope is not a good strategy for success.

Time Blocking for Better Self-Care

One way that I've been able to prioritize self-care practically is through time blocking. I block time for certain things daily, whether it's that morning walk I mentioned, time to work out, or time to read. Carving out a certain time daily to prioritize yourself works really well for those who feel too busy for self-care. It becomes another mandatory, must-attend item on the calendar.

In addition to blocking off some time daily, I also block off one morning each month that's just for me when I go to the wellness center, get in a good workout, and treat myself to some relaxation in the wellness area.  It's a bigger chunk of time, and it always feels like such a treat. Self-care is not only about the little daily habits,  it's also about taking a step back and carving out bigger pockets of time to recharge. They feel like mini vacations.

Creating Habits That Stick

Building sustainable self-care habits takes time. It’s important to remember, progress over perfection. Don’t take on too many new habits all at once, or add an abundance of habits to your daily routine. It's not about achieving perfection or trying to do it all every single day. Rather, start with small, doable habits that you can easily incorporate into your routine. Maybe it's a short meditation each morning or blocking off time to read a book at the end of the day. Or how about this? We all already do certain things daily-like making coffee. Instead of rushing through the morning, heating up your cup three times while scrambling to get ready, why not make that cup, sit down, and enjoy it with some thoughts of gratitude? It's a simple way to practice self-care without overcomplicating it.

Now, I'll admit, I'm a personal growth junkie (Learner is in my Gallup StrengthsFinder top 5!) so I might be a little over the top here. But I love working on one thing each week. Personally, this pace is not overwhelming, and it keeps me moving forward on my growth path. I firmly believe that anyone can commit to just one thing for a week and see the fruit of it grow over time. So, what could you implement this week that would improve your self-care?

Life's Curveballs and Seasons of Change

What I've shared so far is great and hopefully helpful, but here's the curveball. I remember working so hard on my routines, feeling like I finally had it all figured out. I even journaled about it (I remember that day vividly) I was convinced I had found a routine that finally worked. This was especially difficult with my husband traveling and my kids in different schools with different practice times. And then - no joke - just a week later, one of them changed their soccer practice time, moved it to a different day, and had the location changed to somewhere much farther away. So much for that routine!

Life is full of different seasons, and things change whether we're ready for it or not. Don't hold on too tightly to rigid schedules. Instead, stay focused on your values and your "Order of Loves." Trust that you are confident and resourceful and that you can adjust as things shift. We don't have to do everything perfectly. We just have to stay aligned with what matters most in each season of our lives. 

No Excuses

If you've learned anything from the "Order of Loves," let it be this: prioritizing yourself is the foundation for everything else. Your health, your energy, and your ability to show up fully for others starts with taking care of yourself. When you fill your own cup, you'll find that you have more to give to the people and things that matter most. And remember, self-care isn't optional, it's essential.

What's one thing you can start blocking time for this week that prioritizes your well-being? Whether it's a small period of time daily or scheduling something more intentional like a once-a-month self-care treat, take that first step. No excuses. Your future self will thank you. I mean, really, who doesn't want to be that confident, gentle, warrior who blocks time for themselves and doesn't feel guilty about it?

If you're looking for more inspiration on building habits and sticking to them, two of my all-time favorite books are Atomic Habits by James Clear and Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg. Both are packed with practical advice to help you create lasting changes, one small step at a time. Once you start integrating these self-care habits, you'll feel like you have your life together (even when life throws you a curveball).

If you have any questions on how to set up your “Order of Loves” or how to implement it into your unique schedule, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to guide you in discovering how you can actively incorporate self-care to show up for yourself, your responsibilities, and the people around you. Check out my bio to learn more about my qualifications and schedule a call with me below!

Claudia is an NBC-HWC Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, the owner of Vibrant Health by Claudia LLC  and Virtual Health Coaches LLC. She studied Health and Wellness Coaching at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she also completed courses in Gut Health, Hormone Health, and Advanced Coaching. She is a Havening TechniquesⓇ Certified Practitioner and certified 21-Day Sugar Detox Coach as well as a co-author of three Amazon Bestsellers “The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Soul Aligned Business”,  “The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Soul Professional” and “The Ultimate Guide To Leaving Your Legacy.”

To schedule a time for a free information call click here or join her Vibrant Health Power Community - a free Facebook Group - hhere.re.