![selfcareresponsibility.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/marleyandme/EoAb8LHSfnPzbnUoLNMY6ST6h8devoaL2NEkvQWdk19Z37yQZi99uzJumRHT7y1N9QM.jpg)

Last week I posted about self care and some of my views about it. This week I want to talk about some of the things I consider to be self-care in my own life and how crystals and crystal energy healing can help, as well as other modalities. 

The first thing I want to mention as a prerequisite for self-care and self-love is self-responsibility. If we do not take responsibility for ourselves, we will remain the perpetual victim, never improving our lives and never evolving our consciousness. ***Taking responsibility for ourselves is what makes us truly awakened.*** A healer is simply someone who has awakened to their need to heal, heals and continues to heal themselves - and - as a result - is in a position to help guide others to heal too. 

I am a healer, but I actually found myself putting myself into perpetrator consciousness last week with a poor choice of wording and a friend said to me "No Emma, It's not your fault, but it IS your responsibility". She was right. When we apportion fault or blame, we either make ourselves the victim, the perpetrator, or the saviour and we get caught up in lower-minded thinking. Guilt, shame, regret, anger, etc etc. These are destructive energies and prevent us from being the creators of our own lives. Take a look at the chart below for a general depiction of the different vibrational states and frequencies. 

![emotions chart.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/marleyandme/AKuv74dge3QtoVgxWDkenJTB2BrPbLAFqAwDpQm78sjAzXL5bkso2PrSYBHsaKi.jpg)

**Love Yourself**

Yesterday I was meditating to some calming music on YouTube, and I promptly fell asleep. When I woke up an excellent [video by Dr Bruce Lipton](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-cueT-MV0A) was playing. He was saying that about 90% of the people who attend his live events don't truly love themselves (and there is no shame in that.) We live in a society that didn't teach us to truly love ourselves, so it's our responsibility to do it for ourselves. I mean, no-one can do it for us, right? The idea that someone external can "make us happy" is simply attachment, not love. The idea that someone has to be a certain way in order for us to be happy indicates that we weren't happy without them. 

This isn't to say we should tolerate disrespectful, abusive or integrity-lacking behavior. It's about consent to what we will and will not accept in our lives. It's about boundaries. And it's about our words and our actions matching, so that we can remain trustworthy in the eyes of those we love, we work with etc. Self-care is not selfish but self-care is NOT saying one thing and then doing another. That is a lack of integrity. That IS selfish. That expects others to change around you at your whim with no thought for their energy, time, and boundaries.  It is thoughtless and lower consciousness playing out. Who's in charge? You or your lower mind? 


![reiki.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/marleyandme/EoEpZKtuEMWaEciYeYdKSGqM9we7hu7njJKHiYXmyg4d43TL8HV9Rzv6rJRTU5QB8Nz.jpg)

**Reiki and Other Energy Healing Modalities.**

Reiki energy healing and crystals can help with dissipating these lower frequency thought patterns and feelings. Emotions are simply energy in motion (or not, if they are stuck somewhere in your body!) Reiki is the universal flow of divine energy that can not only heal physical issues, but also help us establish emotional balance - and help us with issues such as:

- stress 
- insomnia, 
- negative thoughts
- depression 
- tackling addictions 
- helping with relationships ( harmony)
- letting go / ending toxic relationships 
- strength 
- difficult situations

Part of my self-care regime is a daily dose of [self-reiki](https://www.evolvingawareness.net/service-page/reiki-1-attunement-online?referral=service_list_widget), which you can learn to do very easily. It puts you in full control of your own energy and gives you time to balance yourself.  You can join my next group attunement session on 26th November online [HERE](https://www.evolvingawareness.net/service-page/reiki-1-attunement-online?referral=service_list_widget). I also offer [distance crystal Reiki healing.](https://www.evolvingawareness.net/service-page/crystal-energy-healing-1?referral=service_list_widget)

I've been practicing Reiki for almost 9 years and I'm now a Reiki Master, but I first got into energy healing simply because I knew I needed to make changes in my life and I became interested in quantum physics and the nature of energy. For the first 4 years I practiced only on myself, friends, and family and I also received treatments from other practitioners. I always feel revitalized, more balanced, and more harmonious after a Reiki treatment. It really is a beautiful, subtle energy that also brings change into our lives (for the better!). 

I only began pairing crystals with my energy healing a couple of years ago, but found that they compliment each other and together produce a more pronounced effect. Crystals are intelligent and contain much wisdom. They are - in fact - frozen light and hold wisdom of the earth inside. Nature always knows best! 

The crystals I work with for shadow work/ limiting beliefs are purple amethyst, obsidian, black tourmaline, pyrite, and clear quartz. All of these crystals have negative energy clearing properties and help bring clarity in our life circumstances. You can get a detailed and personalised crystal recommendation online [HERE. ](https://www.evolvingawareness.net/service-page/personalised-crystal-recommendation?referral=service_list_widget)



**Commit to Yourself**

So, on a personal level, self-care is about keeping promises to yourself. The video I mentioned by Dr Bruce Lipton is priceless. He explains how the subconscious mind and the conscious mind can be unaligned and that is how we can fall into a lack of integrity. But it is our responsibility to reprogramme our subconscious OR to stop lying to others and to ourselves. Otherwise, next year we'll still be in exactly the same disempowered state as now. It's a slippery slope. 

One of the ways we can change our subconscious is through consistency and behavior change. Over time I have worked at healing and removing all the limited thoughts and behaviours that stopped me from being healthy and happy. Of course there is always more work to do, but here are some of the ways I ensure that I take care of myself: 

**Accept and Clear Old Thought Patterns and Destructive Behaviours**

Recognize destructive thought and feeling patterns, decide not to associate with them, accept them, let them go, and choose differently. 

We tend to repress negative thought patterns, which is exactly what we SHOULD NOT be doing. Repression creates MORE shadow, not LESS. This is why some people struggle to make any real lasting changes. This is why I struggled to make changes in some areas of my life. I associated myself with the programming, with the learned behaviour, and with the distorted emotions. We literally stuff EVERY unwanted thought and feeling deep inside with an extra order of shame, guilt and fear. 


**Find What Works for You**

Don't listen to others too much, especially don't pay much attention to unsolicited advice. In my experience, people who give unsolicited advice often have much to clean up in their own lives. If they are finger pointing, blaming, or shaming, you can choose to walk away. Oftentimes people do it with the best intentions. In fact, I was responsible for being like that at some point in my life. I felt responsible for them. It doesn't matter the reasons why. What matters is that I turned inward, took responsibility for myself, and I changed. It really is as simple or as difficult as we make it for ourselves.

When we turn inward, we have to clean up our wounds. We have to heal our traumas. Here are some of the things - besides Reiki and Crystals - that have helped me heal.  




![moveyourbody.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/marleyandme/EoibaH4hUbS3P9vmUYe7Qt9fTaToGwvws65Swehd5iJh2nhNoqqbdYkAzCtmNMHyvFN.jpg)


**Yoga, Dance, and Other Movement.**

Did you know that we store our emotions in our bodies and that oftentimes movement is the best and most fun way to unblock those energies! Dancing is free. I often dance in the kitchen first thing in the morning before I start my day (headphones on of course, I'm a very early riser!). My recommendation for yoga is @lisamariesworld's healing and gentle yoga, but with dynamic flow elements also. I do yoga with Lisa at least once a week online. You can check out her offerings and join her online classes [HERE](https://www.lisamariemethod.com/yoga-in-nature).  It particularly helps me release stored emotions from my hips and my back, as well as keeping me physically trim and feeling good! 

**Sound Healing**

Sound healing, alternatively known as Sound Therapy or Vibrational Medicine, is the practice of using sound and frequency for relaxation, healing and personal development. It can reduce your stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, create a deep sense of wellbeing, and promote healing that goes well beyond simple relaxation. Participants with conditions such as Parkinson’s are benefitting, as are the elderly, and those with PTSD and other mental health difficulties.

I recently joined a very beautiful sound healing here in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. If you get the chance, I'd highly recommend trying it out! It really is blissful and you feel immediately rebalanced and in a state of bliss. 

If you're in Playa del Carmen I'd recommend going to one of Ricardo Mones'  sound healings or you can follow him on [Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/ricardo_mones/)

**Breathwork**

Breath really is life and learning to breathe better can change your life immensely. Breathing deeply and intentionally reduces stress, gives you a greater sense of clarity, and aids in healing respiratory issues. It's a core element of yoga, but transformational breathwork can be - well- life changing!!! I have had some life changing thoughts during guided sessions and it can help us connect with our higher purpose. On my healing journey I also became an accredited breathwork facilitator, but don't usually offer sessions to others. I am, however, thinking of doing so in the not too distant future. When we are given a gift, the best thing we can do with it is to pass it on, don't you think? Healing is also a team effort. We are never truly alone. 

What are your favourite ways to take responsibility for your health and happiness? Do you have any tips? 

It's a subject I'm really passionate about!!

Much Love,

Emma (the Me in Marley and Me!) xx

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**You can check out my [full range of services here](https://www.evolvingawareness.net/services-page)**

All images my own and made in Canva