The Grass Isn't Greener: Summer Self-Care
In honour of International Self-Care Day on 24 July (a date chosen as a gentle reminder to nourish our well-being 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), it feels like the right moment to pause.
The summer term has completely whizzed past, and we are already creeping into August. First, a huge thank you to everyone who showed up on the mat in this heat. Practicing yoga in that kind of heat takes genuine commitment, and your energy kept the space grounded.
As we head into the summer break, many of us naturally start scrolling through retreats, looking at mountain hideaways or quiet desert sanctuaries across the UAE. But whether you're stepping into a full wellness retreat this season or simply trying to catch your breath at home, true self-care rarely comes down to a change of scenery.
I often find myself thinking: "The grass isn't greener, it's just different. What matters is what you build, not what you chase."
If you're feeling a bit pulled in every direction as summer takes over, here are five simple reminders to keep in mind:
1. Sleep on it
When you're tired, every minor decision feels heavier than it needs to be. Before reacting to a stressful email, making a drastic schedule change, or forcing an answer, give yourself overnight. A good night’s rest usually shrinks big worries back down to size.
2. Trust your gut
We spend so much time overthinking what we should do that we mute our instinct. That quiet physical pull, whether it's a sense of comfort or a sudden hesitation, is usually right. Listen to it early instead of hours later.
3. Make some moves
Self-care isn't only about lying still; often, it's about shifting stagnant energy. A slow morning stretch, a deliberate walk at sunset, or a sweaty session on the mat helps clear the mental fog when words can't.
4. Self-help starts small
You don't need a total life overhaul or a complex 10-step routine to reset. Real self-care is unglamorous: drinking a glass of water, setting a firm boundary on your time, or turning off your phone an hour early.
5. Don't forget where you are
It is easy to imagine that peace lives somewhere else: in another city, on a distant beach, or at a fancy retreat. But retreats only give you the space to remember what's already there. The real work is building a daily life you don't feel the constant need to escape from.
Thank you again for sharing your practice with me this term. Have a lovely, restful summer break, and remember to build something quiet for yourself this month.
