In residency, I decided to splurge on a solo trip to Bali. It was going to be ten days of beauty, exploration and writing, and it was going to cost my whole tax refund.
But the thing is, I deserved it. We all deserve to partake in our favourite forms of self-care, which for me includes travel. I’d been working the hardest I ever had on a rural medicine rotation, so this trip was well-timed. And from all the commotion I made about going in the first place, here are three reminders for self-care and focus that I was reminded of in Bali.
1. It’s okay to invest in your passion
First thing’s first: learning more about your passion shouldn’t cost you anything up front. There are so many resources both online and in person that can introduce you to new topics and crafts. In fact, I’d argue that one of the biggest advantages of our arguably “connected” world is that knowledge isn’t completely sequestered by the elite. You can learn just about anything online or through books, workshops, etc.
After a certain point though, you’re going to have to invest in your passion. This could involve giving more of your time to this thing you love, moving locations to do it, talking to new people about it, or even spending money on it. And that’s okay. If you’ve put consistent work into your passion and you’d like to get more involved, go for it! Try to move past whatever guilt you might have about it, and give yourself the opportunity to grow. I can tell you I have no regrets about using my vacation time, spending my tax refund, and getting on that plane to Bali.
2. It’s important to dream big and visualize
In that same light, you have to allow yourself to dream big dreams. (Read: How to Work Past Self Doubt When You Have Big Goals) The first step to getting where you want to go is knowing where you want to go. My mornings in Bali were always quiet, bright and inspiring. I woke up early and was encouraged by the wisdom of green leaves and the boldness of the sun. Fruits I didn’t even recognize lent me their sweetness and their optimism as I looked out over foliage and imagined a big future. They all dared me to make big plans.
Give yourself a moment to envision your best, most fulfilling life. Really map it out. Where are you living? Where are you going? Who are you serving? Once you can see it, notice how you feel, and carry this feeling with you into your every day thoughts and intentions.
These are your dreams. You can keep them to yourself if that’s what’s most comfortable, but don’t limit your success by censoring your hope. Dream big because the barriers that you meet shouldn’t be your own. And if you visualize your success, when you meet it, it’ll feel familiar.
3. Self-care is a journey
Spending time at Karsa Spa in Ubud was one of my favourite memories of the trip. The spa is located at the end of the Campuhan Ridge walk, a several-kilometre walk through the countryside. I had a beautiful early-morning stroll to my appointment, but I hadn’t considered the afternoon heat I’d have to trek back through afterwards. It was scorching hot, and I really wished I had a motorbike or even just a hat. I’d spent all morning getting pampered, but I’d had to work to get to that space and back.
The irony of the struggle reminded me that self-care is a journey. The work that we do for ourselves is just that: it’s work. When we talk about making time for ourselves, or promoting our healing, or making an inventory of our resources, all of this is work. Let’s be mindful that prioritizing ourselves, showing up and then performing these courageous acts of self-care is beautiful, but also difficult. It can be glamorous, but also gritty. It’s relaxing and it’s unnerving. It can be a morning stroll or a hot summer’s day hike. And it’s all important. It’s a part of your personal journey.
My time in Bali was one of growth, courage and reflection on this beautiful work of self-care. I hope these reminders encourage you to make space for yours. I also hope that we continue to have a dialogue about both the fun and the difficult parts of prioritizing our own well-being.
If you’re a multi-passionate working woman, then I know you could use these reminders. I want you to continue to work hard, but also make self-care part of your work. Join our email community for some PDF workbooks that will help you do just that!
And if you love the mix of travel and self-care, then you’ll also enjoy this post from my time in Bali.