Browse
Top articles
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Try free for 7 days.
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Benefits of Mindfulness: Mindful Living Can Change Your Life
Mindfulness 101: A Beginner's Guide
00:00
00:00
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Hey, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about why self-care is not selfish. One of the big things I've learned over the years as a mindfulness teacher is that many people don't actually feel like they have the permission to take time for themselves. The meditation practice itself can sometimes feel like a self-focused practice. We're turning the attention inward.
We're focusing on the breath. We're feeling our own internal access experience. And while that certainly has an impact for how we show up for other people and in the world, a lot of times it can feel like we're selfish for taking that time for ourselves. There's one quote though, that I've always loved that I think puts this in perspective, it's by Parker Palmer and he says, "Self-care is never a selfish act. It's simply good stewardship of the only gift we have, the gift we were put on earth to offer others.
Anytime we take care of ourselves, we do it not just for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch." Hmm. So just notice what it's like to hear that. Self-care is never selfish. Now, even if you do feel a strong pull to help other people, to serve other people, to be there for your family, your relationships and your work, the person doing that is right here. It's you.
And we can't do that on an empty tank. Every once in a while, we need to shift the car from fifth gear to third, to first, and even put it in park and refuel. It's only then that we can go back and do the work that we care most about and take care of the people in the way we most want to take care of them. So notice if you've been putting yourself second. Notice if you feel guilty for taking time for yourself.
And see if you can maybe keep this quote in mind as you go throughout your day and beyond, remembering that anytime you take care of yourself, it's not selfish. It's for others. It's for the world. It's for the environment. We'll do some more around this in our meditation today, but I do want to thank you for your practice.
I say that at the end of a lot of my Daily Mindfulness moments, and the main reason I do is because it's an acknowledgement that the practice is not just for you. It's for your families, it's for your relationships, it's for your communities and it's for our world. So I'll say it again. Thank you for your practice. I'll talk to you soon and take care.
Self-Care Is Not Selfish
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Duration
Your default time is based on your progress and is changed automatically as you practice.
Hey, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about why self-care is not selfish. One of the big things I've learned over the years as a mindfulness teacher is that many people don't actually feel like they have the permission to take time for themselves. The meditation practice itself can sometimes feel like a self-focused practice. We're turning the attention inward.
We're focusing on the breath. We're feeling our own internal access experience. And while that certainly has an impact for how we show up for other people and in the world, a lot of times it can feel like we're selfish for taking that time for ourselves. There's one quote though, that I've always loved that I think puts this in perspective, it's by Parker Palmer and he says, "Self-care is never a selfish act. It's simply good stewardship of the only gift we have, the gift we were put on earth to offer others.
Anytime we take care of ourselves, we do it not just for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch." Hmm. So just notice what it's like to hear that. Self-care is never selfish. Now, even if you do feel a strong pull to help other people, to serve other people, to be there for your family, your relationships and your work, the person doing that is right here. It's you.
And we can't do that on an empty tank. Every once in a while, we need to shift the car from fifth gear to third, to first, and even put it in park and refuel. It's only then that we can go back and do the work that we care most about and take care of the people in the way we most want to take care of them. So notice if you've been putting yourself second. Notice if you feel guilty for taking time for yourself.
And see if you can maybe keep this quote in mind as you go throughout your day and beyond, remembering that anytime you take care of yourself, it's not selfish. It's for others. It's for the world. It's for the environment. We'll do some more around this in our meditation today, but I do want to thank you for your practice.
I say that at the end of a lot of my Daily Mindfulness moments, and the main reason I do is because it's an acknowledgement that the practice is not just for you. It's for your families, it's for your relationships, it's for your communities and it's for our world. So I'll say it again. Thank you for your practice. I'll talk to you soon and take care.
Duration
Play in-app
Scan the following QR code with your camera app to open it on our mobile app
Get Unlimited Access
A Mindfulness Plus+ subscription gives you unlimited access to a world of premium mindfulness content.
Email Missing
We couldn’t detect your email with the SSO provider you have selected.We are here to make a positive impact on the world. We never want to sell you something that hasn’t helped you live a better life. That’s why if you’re unhappy with any purchase from us, you have 30 days to get a full refund and your money back.
If you subscribed to Mindfulness Plus+ and are unhappy with your purchase, please get in contact with us within the 30-day period and we’ll refund your purchase.
Learn more about our Mindfulness Guarantee.
Mindfulness
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Private Browsing
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Annual membership
$0
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Thank you for joining us
Dive into the full library and enjoy all it has to offer!
Claim your free access
Create a mindfulness account and we’ll unlock this premium session in your account forever.
7-Days free trial, cancel anytime.
Complete a few quick questions to make your own personalized mindfulness plan.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Mindfulness
One membership to gain access to a world of premium mindfulness content created to help you live happier and stress less.