The other day, I realized I was doing it again—pushing through, telling myself I’d “rest later,” and ignoring the signs that I really needed a break. Sound familiar?
It made me reflect on the difference between proactive and reactive self-care.
Proactive self-care is what I do before stress piles up—things like going for a walk, capturing moments through my camera (this picture was taken at Jasper National Park last June), or having that no-screen wind-down time.
Reactive self-care is what I turn to when I’m already overwhelmed—like cancelling plans, powering through, or disconnecting from others to recharge.
Reactive self-care is a natural response to stress, helping us cope when we need it—but when I get caught up in that mode, I know I’m not caring for myself the way I truly want to. I risk my tank running on empty, which affects not only my energy, but also my relationships and work.
So here’s a gentle prompt for both of us:
What’s one small proactive self-care activity you can do this week—before stress forces you to slow down?
Let’s keep our tanks full instead of running on empty.
And if you’d like support exploring ways to integrate proactive self-care into your life, I’m here to walk alongside you. Reach out and book a free 30-minute consultation here.
Annika Schaefer
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