I’ve gone back and forth on whether to write this post or not. Partly because it feels like this is all anyone is talking about on social media right now and I’m just another person adding to the conversation. Partly because everyone has their own version of what self care looks like, so what does mine matter? In the end I finally decided to just go ahead. If even one person walks away with an idea of how to feel stronger in their path to caring for themselves, then I’ve done what I set out to do.
There are SO MANY ways for one to care for themselves. This can range from small (daily journaling) to huge (week-long girls’ trip to Hawaii). Although a week-long trip to a beach where I don’t have to do anything but read a book and drink my weight in mimosas sounds like the most amazing thing in life, that’s just not feasible for a lot of us (me included). Instead, I have to focus on what I can do in my own home that can bring me to that state of bliss (maybe not fully, who are we kidding, but close enough). This includes daily and weekly activities that if I don’t do my best to make time for, I don’t feel like I can give myself fully to everything/one else in my life.
Daily
- Reading. This is 100% at the top of this list, if not the most important item on it. I read A LOT. I average 5 books a month on top of working full-time, being a mom to a toddler, and writing this blog. I love fiction, personal development, and biographies. If I had my way, I would have time to read an average of 8-10 books a month. I’m actually working on that goal. I learn through reading. I travel through reading. I decompress through reading. If I haven’t had the time to sit down in any part of the day to read a few chapters, I’m lost.
- Exercise. If I had compiled this list two months ago, exercising would NOT have been on it. It’s not my favorite thing in the world. It takes effort and motivation that I don’t always have. With that said, what it provides far outweighs my negative attitude towards it. I make the time to move my body every single day. Whether that’s through an intense workout, restorative yoga, or a fast paced walk/jog trying to keep up with my toddler barreling towards an intersection on his scooter. I always, ALWAYS dread it, but I NEVER regret it.
- Journaling and Coffee. These two go hand-in-hand because they happen simultaneously each morning. This is the part of my morning I look forward to. This is the time of day that I sit down and reflect on how utterly grateful I am to have this time, place, and feeling. I’ll always find time to chug a cup of coffee, but if for some reason I’m unable to sit down long enough to journal along with it? It stays on my heart until the next day when I can.
Weekly
- Meal Prep. I know, I know. This may sound like more of a task than self care, but honestly I feel so much better about stepping into the new week if I already have this covered. Between fighting a toddler to dress for school, meetings upon meetings at work, and rushing home in the evenings to have more than 2 hours of quality time before I have to fight to now get the toddler changed into pajamas- the very last thing I want to do is make a plan about what I’m eating. And on top of that, worry that it’s healthy. I usually spend Saturdays working up what the next week’s meals are going to look like and then place my order that evening for Sunday morning pick-up. And before you come after me for paying for curbside grocery service, you try spending an hour and a half to two hours every Sunday trying to get through an always crowded grocery store with a not-happy-to-sit-anywhere-restrained 2.5 year old while trying to remember everything you wrote on your list that you left at home. No, thank you. My sanity is appreciative.
- Clean sheets. Seriously. If you’ve never had clean, soft sheets to look forward to climbing into on Sunday nights, you’re truly missing out. That’s really all that needs to be said here.
- Epsom Salt and Lavender Baths. Like clock-work, every Sunday night I take an epsom salt and lavender essential oil bath. You can take the time to look up all of the great health benefits of epsom salt soaks, and the lavender essential oil is perfect for getting me primed for a restful sleep. I’ll also occasionally brew hot tea to enjoy while soaking. This combination helps ease my mind and prepare me for my week ahead.
And there you have it. My self care necessities. Like I said in the beginning, everyone’s looks different. I follow a beautiful blogger on Instagram that writes note cards to herself (and shares them in her posts) to read throughout the week. That’s part of what builds her up to take on the world. And that’s awesome. I hope you all have a self care list yourself, and if not, are now motivated to make one. Seriously, how can we be all that is expected of us in this world if we don’t make the time to be everything we need to be for ourselves?
Until next time…
