Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

All month long we’ve been talking about self-care.

But today I want to talk about a different kind of seasonality.

Not winter skin versus summer skin, although that matters too.

I’m talking about the seasons of life.

Because what self-care looks like at 25 is very different from what it looks like at 45… or 60.

And if we don’t pause to recognize that, we may find ourselves using outdated expectations for where we are now.

Self-Care in Your Twenties

In my twenties, self-care looked pretty simple.

Extra sleep.
The occasional massage.

Honestly, not much else.

Looking back, I wish I had started prioritizing self-care earlier. But at that stage of life, energy is abundant and responsibilities are still taking shape.

The lesson here isn’t regret.

It's awareness.

Each phase of life asks for different kinds of care.

Self-Care in Your Forties

When I was in my early forties, I had a toddler in the house.

Self-care looked very different.

It looked like:

• A "mommy day off”

• Time to attend certification classes

• Time to write my business plan

• Space to build something meaningful for the future
   

Self-care wasn’t quiet spa days; it was protected time to grow.

Self-Care in This Season of Life

Now, as I approach 60, self-care looks different again.

It includes things like:

• Monthly facials

• Time with friends and family

• Investing in my business growth (like the messaging seminar I’m attending in April)

• Updating my estate documents so my son won’t have to navigate confusion later
   

That last one might not sound glamorous.

But it’s incredibly important.

Part of caring for your future - and your family - is planning thoughtfully.

Learning Never Stops

Self-care for me also includes learning new things.

Recently, I signed up for a learn-to-play Mahjong class.

Trying something new, engaging your mind, and staying curious are powerful forms of care as we move through life.

Growth doesn’t stop at any age.

Your Season Might Look Different

Your season of life may look very different from mine.

You might be:

• A young professional figuring out your direction

• Building your career

• Raising young kids

• Growing a business

• Entering an empty nest phase
   

Each season requires different kinds of support.

The key question isn’t “What does everyone else do for self-care?”

The question is:

What does this season of my life need right now?

The Question Worth Asking

A couple months ago, I stepped back and realized something important.

I spend a lot of time giving.

That’s part of my business.
It’s part of my life.
It’s part of who I am.

And if I don’t take care of myself too, I won’t be able to continue showing up for the people who matter to me.

So I began focusing on better boundaries and more intentional care for myself.

I encourage you to ask yourself the same question.

What part of your life feels neglected right now?

That’s where your self-care belongs.