In the words of American writer, feminist, and civil rights activist Audre Lorde, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare,”
This is one of my favorite quotes because I believe it captures the true essence of self-care. I’m going to get straight to the point. Life gets crazy, and many of us are trying to juggle multiple areas of life. It gets overwhelming at times, and that’s why a bit of self-care is recommended. Despite this fact, for many people, self-care is deemed unimportant or simply a luxury they cannot afford. Frankly speaking, I didn’t start practicing self-care until I needed it most. But what was great about it is that it didn’t have to cost me a single thing. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence, and I have in the past advertised the need to purchase items to assist with self-care practices. But if you really think about it, you don’t necessarily need self-care products to realize the benefits of self-care.
Self-care is a billion-dollar industry. And some businesses are just using your need to practice self-care for profit. That means the products they advocate for self-care might not necessarily have the relaxing effect you expect them to have. This is not meant to discourage you, though. In the event you can tap into luxury self-care, go ahead and do it and maybe support a local business in the process. Due to the pandemic, my circumstances, like many of you, have changed tremendously, from changes in income to limited access to services outside the home. That means, if you are looking to practice self-care in this day and age, you are going to need to get a little bit creative. Yes, I know there are so many fitness programs online. But if you have a toddler as I do, nothing comes easy. Here are a few tips I have found incredibly helpful to help you get started on your self-care journey.
Journaling
I have found journaling as a surprisingly beneficial self-care routine. Personally, there’s just something about getting a new journal that says fresh beginnings, and in fact, I have several. So how does it help, you ask? Well, a journal lets you take a brief pause from life for you to connect and listen to what your own needs, thoughts, ideas, and feelings are. You don’t need a fancy journal or pen, and the note app on your cell phone can work just fine. So would a basic journal. Journaling doesn’t need to take long hours, either. I spend 15 minutes tops at a time journaling, and I still find it uplifting and relaxing.
A moment of solitude
We all know I love my solitude. For me, it tends to be a moment to check in with myself. Remember, you do not need to book a trip to some exotic island or go to your favorite restaurant. Rather, it could be something as simple as sitting in the car for ten minutes or taking extra time in the shower for as long as you need. Basically, taking a moment of solitude lets you self-reflect and process your emotions so that you can better understand yourself and what you need.
Establishing a routine
You do not need any fancy apps, planners, and/or whiteboards to establish a routine. You can simply make a mental note, but then again, writing your plans down does ensure you don’t forget them. I have a routine, and I notice a definite shift in my mood if I do not have a glass of water first thing in the morning, followed by a cup of tea, and before ten, a cup of coffee. Something as simple as carving out 15-30 minutes to exercise, read, and pause can make a difference.
Tap into your passion
As we grow and our responsibilities take over, it is easy to forget the passions, dreams, and aspirations we once had. I believe, however, that it is important to tap into your passion even if you are not able to commit fully. It is better to take minor steps to achieve your goals rather than doing nothing. As I type this blog, my little angel is jumping on me, but even that doesn’t faze me. I occasionally wonder if I should just quit because every time I want to get something done, it takes longer. However, these are not ideas I let take over my thoughts. Normally, the feeling doesn’t last for more than 30 seconds, and the optimism kicks in once more.
While there never seems to be enough hours in a day to get everything done, I believe with a bit of delegation, and you can actually get a lot done. As Oprah says, “You can have it all. Just not all at once.”
