So....Imma be honest here.
Self care is HARD for me as I am sure it is for most. It also very rarely looks the same for me. Some people run, some people meditate, I scream in cars, spin on poles, and stare at plants.
Ya know, do what makes YOU feel better. These are some of my favorites....
Want to hear me rant while overtoning my hair? Watch the vid...
Hate the sound of my voice as much as I do? Read the post...
1. Scream in the car.
Let it out. Yell. Sing. Cry. Whatever. I truly, truly love screaming in the car. I think this is one of those ways that I leave work at work and any external thing that is bothering me OUT of my house. I leave that anger or worry or frustration - in the car. Do I still fester and talk about things for way too long, yeah. Obv. Have you met me? But the overwhelming crazy scary energy running through me is gone and I can talk about whatever is bothering me without emotions getting in the way.
2. SWING.
Go to a park, sit on a swing set and relax. Swinging is my absolute favorite hobby and yes, I just called swinging a hobby because that is how much of my life I have dedicated to it. Thankfully, a lovely human being built me a swing for my 26th birthday so I am able to walk out my back door and enjoy a swing. The rest of you, find your spot.
3. Get the hell out of your comfort zone.
This one is HUGE for me. This can be anything from trying a new dish at your favorite restaurant or signing up for a class to learn something new. Changing my scenery is an absolute necessity for me to feel excited about life. Practice new skill, try baking bread, go to a different bar. Just do something DIFFERENT. Surround yourself with strangers. Talk to them. Learn a lesson from them. I personally highly recommend doing pole. so. you could try that.
4. Makeup.
Specifically drag makeup. You asked for my activities. I've been doing my makeup since elementary school. Getting off the bus, grabbing my mom's makeup, and sitting on the floor in the sun room while watching the Golden Girls was my daily activity and I still basically do that same exact thing.
5. PLANTS.
6. CONNECT with someone.
Reach out to someone you haven't talked to in a while. Ask a new friend to hang out. CALL someone special to you.
7. Counseling.
Therapy. Talking to a trained professional about what is going on. I've been in counseling for 7 months now and am so so glad that I decided to ask my doctor about some recommendations. Therapy isn't for everyone. For some, it is impossible to find someone they feel comfortable with, or takes their insurance, or that works with their schedule. It is so frustrating to find someone and even worse dealing with insurance but for me, the benefit has been well worth the frustration.
8. Allow yourself to say no.
Saying no is a lesson many of us just haven't quite learned. It is so hard to take care of yourself when all you are doing is giving your time and energy to others. Your job. Your friends. Your one million other relationships and responsibilities. You have to be able to say no when you truly want to so that you can say yes to the things that make you feel excited and happy and eager for more. This one is a hard one for me. I want to be there for people. I want to be the one that people come to for advice.