What ways have you practiced self‑care when you’re away from home or at home more than usual?
Please share your experiences by commenting on the topic below. The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you liked and leave the rest. Member sharing on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
This month we’re asking you to share on the question, “What ways have you practiced self‑care when you’re away from home or at home more than usual?”
I Practice self-care everyday, so when I am away from home it’s part of the auto pilot. A work in progress with letting go “perfection” and how to trust GOD/ Higher Power. I also know life happens so what I do now matters. I pray, breathe, be of service, repeat, and by osmosis when in need gravity takes over. Hugs and Blessing everyone!
When I travel, I always take my walking shoes. I usually walk every day. As I see the beautiful trees against the blue sky, I thank my Higher Power for creating this world I am blessed to live in. Recently while visiting our recovering alcoholic grown son, things started heating up. I excused myself, put on my walking shoes and left. The fresh air and exercise helped me remember that although he is in recovery, he still has the disease. I slowly worked Steps 1 through 3 as I walked. I said the Serenity Prayer. When I returned to the… Read more »
My journal goes with me always. I can pull out a pen anytime and write down what is on my mind, while reflecting on my program tools and what I need at that moment. Written words express for me what is in my heart and helps me address the feelings flowing through me and allows me to let go of what does not serve me. I can surrender pain and I can also emphasize (on paper) all that I am grateful for. It is a 10 minute exercise that brings me clarity.
I try to practice self-care every day by using the steps, especially the first 3 steps. I exercise or walk almost every day which helps to clear my head when I am upset or aggravated at the alcoholic. I see a personal trainer 2 days a week which is a priority for me. My health is very important to me and I am the only one that can take care of myself. It is my responsibility to take care of myself. As Al-Anon teaches, I try to mind my own business when it comes to telling the alcoholic what to… Read more »
I meditate every morning. Sometimes it’s only 5 minutes when I travel; sometimes it’s 30 minutes if I’m at home and am feeling very open. I am learning to mindfully make a cup of tea when I am upset by something [the alcoholic] says or does; the act of making the tea is a nice distraction, and the tea itself is soothing and comforting.
I’m chairing a meeting on this topic, through Tradition 7, and I look forward to what others have to say!
This past year brought changes that have me spending much more time at home and very little time with friends. One of the things that helped me adapt to the change was adding this question to my morning inventory: “How can I improve my conscious contact with God?” My answer is a short list of actions I can take during the day. I continue to use this question because it helps so much. I limit the response to three things so my spiritual “to do” list is manageable. The following day I read this list and put a check mark… Read more »
Each day. I asked myself, “What can I do to physically, emotionally, and spiritually take Care of myself?” Spiritually, I started my day with reading an Al-Anon daily reader and meditating. The TV was off so that I would have silence. Sometimes, I dozed back to sleep after meditating. In my prayers, I thanked my Higher Power for keeping me safe and for helping me to avoid risky behavior. I made a Gratitude Box which I filled in three days. I was grateful for the many small things in my life like noticing the sunset or trees starting to get… Read more »
Whenever I travel, I always bring my daily reader, Courage to Change, my journal, and my Forum. I try to maintain my quiet time to read, write, and reflect as soon as I wake up, but this is not always possible. Sometimes I can only get in a quick reading before the events of the day overtake me. But if I feel myself getting out of sorts, especially with those I am with, I try to pause, say the Serenity Prayer, or talk with my Higher Power. I say “no” to activities I don’t want to join; I avoid hectic… Read more »
I came home after an evening meeting and two of the alcoholics in my family were arguing angrily. When one of them saw me, he launched into a description of my role in the family as being most troublesome. I chose to turn around and get back in my car and go watch the sunset at the local lake. Self care!
Read a book, work in my garden, take my dog for a walk, yard work in general. Get a manicure and pedicure. Went to the beach with family a couple of weeks ago and just “relaxed” and took my mind off of everything. Read my Al-Anon literature, or write in my journal.
I am away from home right now and I practice self-care by doing at least one of my daily self-care routines and being compassionate with myself if I don’t get a chance to do more. I might read One Day at a Time, connect with my Higher Power by talking, singing, dancing, stretching, or walking. It is important that I still go to meetings when I am away from home. Saying how I feel and asking for what I need are important self-care practices that are the hardest for me. But I can practice these away from home as well.… Read more »
At home my self-care involves my reading the various Al-Anon literature hoping to gets some solutions that will help me to have a brighter understanding of my situation. Away from home I use my time playing golf alone or with others. I also volunteer with the Adult Literacy League, and participate in a weekly Bible Study in addition I am active in my church. These activities give me worthy satisfaction and help me to make a difference to myself and others.
Being confined home for a long time was not easy for me. It would have been almost impossible prior to coming to Al-Anon. With the program, I have learned to enjoy my own company and to be peaceful and resouceful when events or choices have asked that I be home or that I be alone. Although, during the pandemic I was, because of my age, forced to stay home, I did so with an open mind, an acceptance of the situation and a desire to become resourceful and creative in order to make this situation an enriching and a positive… Read more »
When the Covid pandemic required guidelines to be followed such as stay at home, practice social distancing, and wear masks, I had to deal with people in my life who didn’t take any of it seriously. With a neighbor who continuously came to my door without wearing a mask and relatives who sent me pictures of them celebrating events together, unmasked and no social distancing, I was beginning to unravel. Until my program tools kicked in. I was reminded that I am allowed to set boundaries. I am allowed to have a safe space. Where in the past I would… Read more »
When I’m home more than usual I practice self care with hot baths, candles, sage, and lots of herbal (and green) tea. I make sure I pay attention to if I need more water, if I need to do yoga or walking. Basically I listen to my body closely and give myself whatever I need that day or evening. Mediation or walking meditation, calling someone in fellowship, reading CAL are also practices for the mind that I practice in my self care routines. While I’m away I do any of the above that I have accessible to me. If none… Read more »
A morning routine with my Higher Power and my Al-Anon daily readers is a critical self-care practice each day, but especially when traveling away from home. Self-care can mean different things to me each day. Some days it means taking a walk and calling one of my “Al Pals” (trusted Al-Anon friend). Other days it means sitting quietly and reading my Conference Approved Literature. The Al-Anon program is intertwined with what self-care means to me. The disease of alcoholism has plagued my family and the effects on me are self-hatred and neglect. When I do things I love like be… Read more »