Real Self-Care | Dr. Pooja Lakshmin | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Real self-care goes beyond temporary fixes and focuses on internal reflection, setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and aligning values to create lasting well-being.

Transcript

good afternoon everyone and welcome to this talks at Google Virtual event my name is Caitlyn vansia and I'm a recruiter here at Google I'm so excited that I have an opportunity to interview and learn more about the wonderful Seeker that we have today before we get started I do want to remind the audience that we'll be taking questions towards the e... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤪 Real self-care goes beyond temporary fixes and emphasizes long-term principles and personal growth.
• 😨 Setting boundaries is fundamental to real self-care, allowing individuals to prioritize their well-being and make decisions aligned with their values.
• 🤳 Practicing self-compassion and positive self-talk helps combat negativity and fosters acceptance and kindness toward oneself.
• 😨 Real self-care requires ongoing reflection and adjustment, as personal values and priorities may change over time.
• 😨 Authentic self-care empowers individuals to own their narratives, challenge societal expectations, and make positive changes within their own lives.
• 👻 Grief requires both compassion and routine, allowing individuals to honor their emotions while maintaining structure and stability in daily life.
• 🌸 Hope can be cultivated as a skill, providing a sense of agency and possibility even in times of grief or loss.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between faux self-care and real self-care?

Faux self-care is temporary and external, focusing on short-term solutions, while real self-care involves long-term principles, internal reflection, and personal growth.

Q: Can faux self-care lead to real self-care?

Yes, faux self-care can be a starting point, especially in times when finding the motivation to make active changes feels overwhelming. As we build self-awareness and resilience, we can transition to real self-care.

Q: How do we recognize when our boundaries are being crossed?

Signs that our boundaries are being crossed include irritability, feelings of resentment, and a sense of overwhelm. Recognizing these signs and understanding our personal limits is the first step in setting and enforcing boundaries.

Q: How can we practice self-compassion and change our negative self-talk?

We can start by acknowledging our inner critical voice and identifying when it arises. Naming this voice and recognizing that it is separate from our true selves allows us to challenge and change the dialogue, treating ourselves with kindness and understanding.

Q: How do we discover our core values and align our actions with them?

A helpful exercise is envisioning a hypothetical situation, like planning a dinner party, and considering what adjectives or adverbs describe the desired experience. These adjectives provide insight into our values, which can then be threaded into our everyday decision-making.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dr. Fua Lman differentiates between faux self-care, which is temporary and external, versus real self-care, which is based on internal reflection and long-term principles.

• Real self-care involves setting boundaries that prioritize our own well-being and practicing self-compassion to counter negative self-talk.

• It is essential to align our actions with our values, making decisions that are true to our authentic selves.

• Real self-care should be personalized and ongoing, allowing us to navigate challenges and make positive changes in our lives.