Why Self-Care Should Be as Routine as Car Maintenance
If you own a car, you're likely familiar with routine tasks like topping up fluids, calling the mechanic at the first sign of a clunk, and scheduling regular oil changes every 5,000 miles. These actions aren't just necessary; they are essential for keeping your vehicle running smoothly. But have you ever considered how this concept of maintenance could apply to your own well-being?
The Basics of Car Maintenance
Car maintenance is straightforward. It involves regularly checking and replacing the essential fluids—oil, brake, transmission, and windshield fluids—to prevent breakdowns and costly repairs. You wouldn’t think twice about scheduling these regular check-ups, because you understand they prevent larger issues down the road.
It’s funny to imagine a car lamenting the hours ‘wasted’ getting an oil change instead of racing down the highway, right?
Parallel with Self-Care
Similarly, self-care is not about indulgence—it's about maintaining your health and well-being. Just as you maintain your car, your body requires regular upkeep to function at its best. Essential elements like adequate sleep, regular physical activity, exposure to sunlight, and proper nutrition are the "maintenance" your body needs.
Ignoring the Warning Signs
Just like a car, your body sends signals when something isn’t right—fatigue, muscle aches, persistent stress, or insomnia. Ignoring these signs and pushing through, much like skipping a car’s oil change, can lead to long-term damage. So why do we often view an extra coffee as an easier fix than taking the time to address the underlying issue (which, I am guilty of!)
Impatience Gets the Best of Me
I am impatient during major life changes like starting a new job, moving, and even building a business. I want to be done with the move, fully onboarded, or at some made-up goal post ALREADY.
So I push through and ignore the signals from my body about needing rest. I try to carry on, business as usual.
Inevitably, I get sick.
This is my body pulling the emergency brake and saying ‘If you aren’t willing to slow down, I’ll do it for you’.
From recurring sinus infections in undergrad to stomach bugs in grad school, and even catching COVID the day I moved back to Florida last fall, the message has been clear: take better care of yourself during transitions.
A Call for a New Approach
When we talk about self-care during a rewire or other big transition, it’s not about scheduling spa days and luxury treatments.
It’s about noticing when you need extra rest for your body or mind.
It’s about turning down the volume on negative chatter telling you that that person over there is moving faster or better than you.
It’s about having realistic goals and celebrating the small wins along the way.
This is what self-compassion and grace look like.
What if we treated a weekly yoga class, a daily walk, or even eight hours of sleep at night with the same importance as a car's oil change? These practices should not be seen as treats but as essential parts of our routine that keep our personal engines running smoothly.
Are you ready for a dose of self-compassion? Check out our fun AI tool to write a love letter from your future self!
