How often do you practice self care? How often do you do something special or a little indulgent because it’s something you enjoy? Do you value yourself enough to make your life worth defending?
Make it a Life Worth Defending
I’m not suggesting that you actually assign your life a dollar value, or that you have to spend tons of money on expensive luxuries in order for this to apply. Merely that showing yourself some love and kindness every so often is a good practice, and can also serve as reminder of what you’re trying to protect.
My hobbies are pursuits outside of the defense & applied violence realm and exist for two reasons:
1) They give me balance. If I find myself burning out on the punchy shooty stuff I have several completely unrelated rabbit holes that I can geek out on for a while.
2) They bring me pleasure. Some of it is sensual, but it’s also my preferred form of artistic expression. I’ve never been much for drawing, painting, or sculpting, and playing music is only fun for me when in a group. However, creating a beautiful cocktail, a well-plated meal, or a perfect cup of coffee is something I find immensely satisfying. And it’s an experience I can easily share with others, which allows me to spread that pleasure and joy.
The same applies to style. Aesthetics for the sake of aesthetics can be enjoyable.
Appreciate the Little Things in Life
A lot of this boils down to being able to appreciate the little things, to take pause and just appreciate the fact that you’re even drawing breath right now.
We all have that thing stashed away that we’re saving for a “special occasion.” Screw that! Any day has the ability to be special, and that’s something to be celebrated.
We get so bogged down either in the drudgery of our day to day routine or the fixation on a statistically insignificant sentinel event that it becomes very easy to lose sight of the “why” behind it all.
That is why I encourage everyone to pause from time to time and find an excuse to celebrate—to indulge a little.
Spend an extra $20 on that next bottle of booze if that’s your thing.
Maybe pick up one nice versatile custom dress shirt that you’ll get some mileage out of.
Even something as simple as taking your car through the carwash so it frees up some time for you over the weekend (unless washing your car is a zen thing for you, then go to town!).
Remind yourself that you have value. That you’re worth it. Small acts can help cement that mentality.
So what’s your self-love language?
….I really need to find a better term for that.
