“You know I’m working on my self-care”
“I took today off for a self-care day”
“I haven’t had a self-care day in a minute”
Self-care is the new trending buzzword and for once we have something that is actually beneficial. As with anything that becomes “popular” via social media, many folks are oblivious to what it entails or how to ease yourself (or dive head first) into it.
So here are a few basics.
Self-care isn’t practiced for other people. It’s for you.
Don’t let the internet trick you into thinking that you have to book solo vacations to outer space or meditation for twelve hours to practice a form of self-care. I’m a bookworm. My best self-care days are spent reading self-help books for an hour, writing while having a glass of wine or writing love notes and affirmations to myself. Sometimes my self-care allows me to focus on my physical care. At least once a month I try to do a deep cleansing face mask, getting a full body massage, having a photoshoot or getting a Brazilian wax. While these things aren’t mandatory, they are conscious choices to help me feel better about myself. FOR MYSELF.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. We’ve been tricked to believe that we can pour from an empty cups. We can’t.
I’ll admit that my self-care hasn’t always been a priority. Unfortunately, I’m one of those people that was taught to always put the needs of others before your own. Otherwise, you’re being selfish. And who wants to be around selfish people right?
As a teacher, my cup gets emptied everyday. As a matter of fact, my middle schoolers leave me with holes at the bottom of my cup on a daily. Switching from high schoolers to middle schoolers wasn’t quite the best decision that I made last year. The transition has forced me to place my self-care under a microscopic lens.
Each day I come home and burn candles. They help me to release the cares and frustrations of the day. I try to give myself thirty minutes to do nothing but sit in silence to collect myself. Some days I’m successful. Other days my mind won’t stop wandering. The main goal is to be as consistent as possible.
Last year, I decided to dedicate one full day each week to my self-care. No excuses. My day is Sunday. Every Sunday I have to say “no” to anything that I don’t genuinely want to do. If I don’t want to be around people, that’s cool. If I want to be around a large crowd, that’s cool as well just as long as it’s something that “I” want to do. Most Sundays I try to focus on my solitude. I try not to hang out unless it’s an activity that REQUIRES other people to be around such as workshops or group yoga. I try not to check my phone or social media. Sometimes I simply stay in bed watching movies. Sometimes I sit at my desk and craft in silence for hours. Regardless of what it is, it’s what I want to do and I’m at peace while doing it. Which leads to my next point.
Self-care can be as simple as you’d like it to be.
I begin each day with gratitude. As soon as I wake up, I say “thank you” out loud. I pray that today be yesterday and set intentions for the remainder of the day. My self-care is loaded with gratitude and reflection.
The beginning of a new year is an exceptional time to re-evaluate how you view your self-care. It’s also the perfect time to start and continue practicing healthy self-care habits. Self-care should be a PRIORITY and never an OPTION.
What will you do for YOURSELF in 2020? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Share in the comments below.
In NC? Need suggestions for businesses that promote self-care? See my list below.
Massage Therapists: https://www.facebook.com/erinthelmbt/ and https://kawellnesscenter.com
Estheticians: https://www.vagaro.com/oasison5th and https://www.facebook.com/pg/ToyMakesFaces/services/?ref=page_internal
Soy Based Candles: https://lytsoycandleco.onuniverse.com/ and https://www.etsy.com/shop/IlluminationbyIV?ref=search_shop_redirect
Dance Fitness: https://www.candaceliger.com/jahration-nation and https://www.facebook.com/groups/KILLAHMOVES/?ref=share
Yoga: https://www.soulflowerwellnessnc.com/
Personal Training: www.cwbfitness.com
Pretty Dope Right? 