Why amigo-care is better than self-care
This year I am making a conscious effort to be a better friend to the lovely people in my life, and to myself.
The amazing humans in my life are great at being supportive. They check in on me, remember that my brother was trying out for a new basketball team, ask how my mum is doing.
I, on the other hand, have a memory bank that is limited to 5 birthday dates only, and is great at remembering three weeks in advance that someone has a surgery booked but won’t remember when the time comes.
It doesn’t mean that I don’t value them, it just means I’m often *just* out of alignment with the rest of the group. So this year, I am focusing on acting on my memory whenever it reminds me (be it three weeks early, or at 4am), making more little gestures (hello surprise ice-cream deliveries), and making time to spend time together.
Self-care is the buzzword of 2019, but I’m talking about friend-care.
By proxy, you will also receive a hell of a lot of self-care. It feels good to do good, my friends, and knowing you are giving back to your loved ones will make you feel warmer than that day time bath.
Here’s my list of ideas to get you started:
– hang their washing for them
– babysit the kiddos and give them a night off
– send a delivery of ice cream, or wine
– write a letter
– plan a weekend away
– cook dinner for them
And for some blatant advertising, buy them tickets to a surprise day gig. A play, a sports event, an art class perhaps
Make use of the 3-for-2 friend deal and learn a new skill together – or laugh at each other with a glass of wine, I’ll leave the success up to you.
There’s a 3 for 2 friend deal on this one
By the way, these say “Advanced” because they assume you’ve been to one of my beginners workshops before, but if you’re brand new with no experience, all you have to do is promise to pay attention in the first half, and I’ll bring you up to speed.
And if you are really embarking on using creativity to boost your friends, check out the shop while you’re at it. There’s nothing like an original piece of art, carefully chosen or custom made.
