Sovereign Sense of Self

There is a lot of talk about self-care in mental health circles, and a lot of the time, this is dictated by people who have not had a mental health experience. Health care professionals mean well, but they don't often fully understand the nuanced way in which someone with lived experience has to navigate self-care. Self-care, including going into nature, cooking food, meditating, and doing exercise, is important, but it only touches the surface of the depth we have to go to care for ourselves on our mental health journey. What I'm advocating for here is a more nuanced, individualized response to self-care in mental health provision. I personally do all of the above to look after myself, but then who doesn't, regardless of your mental health experience? My focus is actually a 'good enough' attitude, taking action and doing things so I maximize my sense of joy in my life. I also practice 'authenticity'; this is about knowing yourself and having a sovereign sense of self. Being authentic for me means I accept all aspects of myself I am aware of. This includes the things I used to judge as bad or unacceptable. This level of self-acceptance and authenticity leads to a spiritual experience that surpasses the conditioned societal experience inhabited by most people. Using the 'good enough' methodology means I accept when I cannot or do not want to do something that might be perceived as 'good' for me. I accept that I am not perfect; I accept that I will probably have a shorter life than most. It is through 'Good enough' and 'Authenticity' that I navigate the often challenging and nuanced terrain of my mental health experience and come out the other side with an enhanced understanding of what caring for myself and loving myself with kindness really means. It's a deeply personal and deeply sacred process to find what really resonates with your authentic self and brings you joy.