Practicing Self-Care

Hi friends!

Happy Friday! And Happy Summer Solstice (I think?) and the start of my favorite season. Woop woop! Fingers crossed it stops raining here for like one flipping day to enjoy it!

I’m currently at the Honda dealership getting an oil change and tire rotation. Gotta keep my little Civic running at her best! Although I don’t drive it much since we got our Jeep, I will be holding onto this car for as long as she lasts. Seriously, if you’re ever in the market for a car, I highly recommend a Honda. I have never had any issues EVER, and have only had to have new tires and brakes put on and new struts once (which was my husband’s fault, but that’s a different story!). Otherwise, she’s been amazing! Perfect little car to zip around in!

Any who, as I sit here waiting, I’ve got my coffee in one hand and my iPad in the other. I honestly love times like this where I’m forced to sit and relax and keep myself busy while I’m out of the house. I’ll probably be here an hour and I really don’t mind that. It gives me time to think and be alone with my thoughts. And lots of caffeine.

Which brings me to a subject that I hold very sacred in my life. And that my friends is self-care.

To fully grasp the concept we have to first look at the definition. Of course, you can kind of figure out that it means taking care of yourself, duh! The dictionary describes self care as “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.” Seriously, can I get an amen to that? A few words here stick out to me. Practice, active role and protecting. It’s not something that just happens and it’s not something to take lightly. We, and I mean especially women, need to take an active role to protect our bodies, minds and happiness overall! We cannot get through those hard days without it!

In the last few years, I’ve tried really hard to take a more active role in putting my happiness and well-being first. I used to think that people who did this were selfish. I grew up in a home where I watched those close to me put their well-being last and put everyone else’s first. I can tell you first hand that it takes a STRONG person to be able to do this day in and day out. But I can also say that it takes a MAJOR toll on your stress levels and health. I decided very early on that I didn’t want to do that. There had to be a better balance where you could still care for others but also make sure that you put yourself first once in awhile!

So how do you get started with some active self-care? I’m glad you asked! It doesn’t take a huge time commitment or throwing everything else to the way-side in order to do it. There are so many approaches you can take to start incorporating ways to take care of yourself and protect your happiness! What about a new hobby? Think of something you really enjoy or may have enjoyed years ago that you got away from. Whether it’s running, reading a book, gardening, anything. Just pick something that you love to do that makes you happy and start setting aside small increments of time during the week where you fully commit to doing that thing. Even better, put it on your calendar as an event, that way you already have the time committed to do it and it takes precedence over anything else that might come up in your day.

Personally, I put working out on my calendar every weekday at 4:30 p.m. No matter what, I take the time to be active and move my body everyday after work, because that’s what makes me happy! Working out might not be your thing, and that’s totally okay! What about waking up a half hour earlier each day to drink your coffee and read the Bible or a new novel? It doesn’t take much, but I promise the outcomes from this will be amazing! You will start to feel more like yourself and crave that time doing what you enjoy even more.

And if you’re having trouble figuring out things you can do that are part of your regular self-care regimen, do not worry! I’ve got you covered:

• Read a new novel
• Take a hot bath with epsom salt
• DIY face mask and skin care routine
• Retail therapy (did someone say Target?)
• Move your body/work out
• Go for a walk around the neighborhood (even better, take the dogs/kids)
• Go out for a coffee and just sit and people watch
• Journal
• Practice guided meditation/mindfulness
• Spend time alone (on a porch swing, in your bedroom, anywhere!)
• Organize, declutter or purge a room
• Go outside!
• Get a massage
• Bake a cake or muffins
• Try a new recipe
• Skip the nail salon and give yourself a mani/pedi
• Color
• Learn how to sew or knit
• Take a trip to the library and browse
• Go to a museum
• List to your favorite podcast

 

Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you commit to it fully. No excuses.

Self-care is necessary to remind yourself and others that you and your needs are important too. Self-care means giving yourself permission to pause. It does not take a lot of effort and it does not have to take a lot of time. Give as little or as much time to yourself as you need, but JUST DO IT. There is no shame in making yourself a priority. I know first hand what it has done for my mental and physical health and I promise you that it can change your life in the most positive way! It won’t take long for you and those around you to see the difference!

XOXO – Brittany