JUST LIKE COFFEE, SELF-CARE HAS BREW TIME

Step 1-Gather Your Ingredients (Emotional Tools)

Just like coffee needs beans, water, and a filter you need your own "emotional ingredients" to feel grounded. These can be small bursts of powerful: boundaries, rest, movement, journaling, deep breaths, or connection with a friend. Without your ingredients, you're just boiling water- busy but not nourishing yourself. 

Step 2- Measure What You Need (Self-Awareness)

Too much coffee grounds and it's bitter. Too little and it's weak. Same with self-care- too much "yes" to others and your cup overflows with stress, too little time for yourself and you're depleted. Finding your right balance is key. (And realizing that some days/weeks will look different). 

Step 3- Give It Time To Brew (Intentional Self-Care)

Good coffee takes time- you can't just dump water and expect instant magic. Self-care works the same way. A few quiet minutes in the morning , a walk in the evening, reading before bed- theses moments are your brewing time. Skipping them leads to watered- down energy. 

Step 4- Pour and Share (Ripple Effect)

Once your pot is full, you pour. But here's the thing. You can't pour from an empty pot. When you care for yourself first, you have warmth, patience, and presence to share with your kids, partner, coworkers and friends. 

Step 5- Refill Before You're Empty

Don't wait until you're bone dry to start being again. Daily check-ins help you notice when you're running low, so you can refill before burnout hits.