My cat, Callie, is my daily self-care reminder. She never hesitates to let me know when she needs to sleep, play, or get my attention — no matter what I’m doing, or what time it is. At first, I thought Callie (and cats in general) are self-centered. But I’ve realized these are acts of self-sufficiency and self-care. Callie knows exactly what she needs and isn’t afraid to ask for it, whether it’s curling up for a nap, chasing a toy, or burrowing into my husband’s lap for affection.
Here are a few of Callie’s Self-Care Rules that apply to job seekers as well:
🐾 Stand up and stretch, especially after being in one position for too long.🐾
When Callie rises from a nap, the first thing she does is stretch. After hours spent bent over a keyboard, pausing to stretch or move helps release tension and reenergizes us.
🐾 Soak up some sun or natural light.🐾
Callie naturally gravitates toward sunny spots throughout the house. Stepping outside for fresh air and sunlight can lift our mood and restore our focus, while providing a boost of Vitamin D.
🐾Get enough rest.🐾
Callie never apologizes for napping, which she does quite often! When we prioritize rest through a good night’s sleep or short breaks during the day, we have more energy and clarity to get things done.
🐾 Set boundaries.🐾
When Callie’s had enough play or too much petting, she walks away to avoid being overstimulated. We can protect our time and energy by honoring our priorities and practicing saying “no” or “not now.”
🐾 Find time to play.🐾
Callie finds joy in the simplest things, especially climbing into paper bags and cardboard boxes. Activities that make us laugh, relieve stress, or generate curiosity can help us decompress and reset.
🐾Human contact is important.🐾
Just like Callie’s enjoyment of a warm lap, we all thrive on connection. The job search can be lonely and isolating. Make time to connect to others for support and cheerful distraction.
The most effective job searches incorporate time for self-care. If you follow Callie’s lead, you can end each day with more energy, patience, and self-compassion.
Looking for more self-care tips and support for your job search? Set up a free, 30-minute consultation to learn more.
