What’s Your Self-Care Look Like?
Recently I was on Dr. Errical Jones tiktok Live and she asked a great question.
What do you all do for self-care?
And what do you do to unwind during the weekend?
To my surprise, so many people did not have an answer!
This is no shade to those who couldn’t answer.
Honestly, I get it….
Life’s sooo soo sooo busy…
There are the kids, doctors appointments school, work, family drama, your drama, car maintenance, home, bills, bills & then some more bills.
Life’s full of unexpected and unwanted surprises, it almost seems unbearable most days.
I know for myself dealing with BPD and fibromyalgia it’s hard to even get out of bed.
But things HAVE to get done.
No excuses.
I feel like in certain communities, especially our community… we were taught from the womb to KEEP FIGHTING … “We don’t have time for that!”
Maybe there’s a day you were tired and you wanted to rest, but because of life, you were not only able to rest but able to process your emotions on what was occurring in life.
And then for those of you especially who had to fend for yourselves and siblings at a very young age you really couldn’t catch a break.
But guess what?
We’re adults now!
All that fighting, working, moving, raising kids, dealing with unjust in this world, and frustrating jobs with annoying coworkers and bosses… takes a major toll on your life.
And sadly our bodies take all that on.
Before I got married I was living on my own and I have no clue how I surprised for so long with all my chronic health issues but I was working full time and depending on no one else but me.
There were times I had to just call out for a rest day.
As scary as that was I survived.
Now all of our circumstances are different but let’s talk about some simple things we can all do schedule in our self-care routine.
1) Soaking in Epsom Salt- GET YOU SOME! There are multiple health benefits such as improved heart health, anti-inflammatory, calming your nerves, and helping decrease stress and anxiety. By the way, if your tub is too small get a bucket and soak your feet! And yes it’s at the dollar store.
2) Spend some time in nature ( one of my favs). I grew up in the city so there wasn’t much nature. But even if you can go to your local park that counts. Studies have shown that it can better your concentration, increase vitamin D, and no surprise improve your mental health.
3) Meditation- Reduces stress, and anxiety, focus becomes better, and enhances self-awareness. Need some ideas? YouTube, Pinterest, and Lemon8 are great go-tos.
4) Listen to Music- For me when I’m super stressed I love going to my Pandora station or YouTube to look up some Lo-Fi music. I’m telling you all is a vibe. They have a wide variety of beats and melodies… also something I’ve learned in therapy harp music is a great way to relax the mind.
5) RELAX- it’s okay to not have anything planned for the day and just chill. As much as we all have on our plates, it will continue to pull up because that’s the world we live in.
So kick your feet up and just relax. Phone on silent, light a candle, and chill.
In all self-care can look very different for us all.
We all have different interests.
What’s important is you…
There’s someone in your life that’ll always want you around, and if we don’t take care of ourselves it can lead to so many health issues.
You deserve a break.
No, you’re not being lazy when you have a nothing day.
You’re loving on yourself but caring for your needs.
I hope by tomorrow or Saturday everyone has taken some time for themselves.
After all, you deserve it 🤎🤎🤎🤎🫶🏽🫶🏽
Your support means the world to me, a simple “♥️” helps my platform to expand. Let’s do that to help us continue to shed light on coming together as a community to help one another. ✨
Copy and past the link below. ⬇️
https://open.spotify.com/show/1T9eksc1dp0H8GJf6B2KmA?si=MJSRSM04Q9mGgMZjORXdWQ
It’s so true what the article says – life can be incredibly demanding, and finding time for yourself often feels like another chore. I’ve been there, feeling completely drained and wondering how to even start a self-care routine that actually feels good and doesn't break the bank. You know, sometimes we see all these 'aesthetic self-care routines' on social media, looking super luxurious and out of reach, but I've realized that true self-care is about what genuinely rejuvenates *you*, even on a low budget! For me, creating a truly relaxing and aesthetic self-care routine often starts with setting the mood. The article mentioned lighting a candle, and I can't stress this enough! A scented candle can totally transform your space, making a simple bath feel like a spa experience. Speaking of baths, if you're like me and love that 'relaxing bath candles' vibe, consider adding some essential oils, or even just some nice bath salts (beyond Epsom, think lavender or rose) for an extra touch. It doesn't have to be fancy; it just has to feel good. I’ve also found that incorporating elements of 'beauty self-care routine' can be incredibly uplifting. It's not about looking perfect, but about feeling refreshed. Maybe it's a simple face mask you already have, or taking the time to do your nails. Even just a quick makeup routine can sometimes be a form of self-expression and a confidence booster. For my 'feminine self care routine aesthetic,' I often put on some calming music, light a candle, and then do a simple hydrating mask followed by my favorite moisturizer. It's those little rituals that make a difference! And what about those 'self care night' queries? After a long day, winding down is crucial. Beyond meditation and music, which are amazing, sometimes a 'social media detox' is exactly what I need. I'll put my phone away an hour before bed and pick up a sketchbook for some drawing, or simply snuggle up with a good book. The OCR mentioned 'relaxing with a sleep mask,' and honestly, it's a game-changer for deeper sleep. Pair that with a cozy blanket and maybe some herbal tea, and you’ve got a perfect end to the day. For anyone looking for a 'minimal self care routine aesthetic,' remember that less is often more. You don't need a hundred products or hours of free time. Start with one or two things that truly resonate. Maybe it's just 10 minutes of listening to Lo-Fi music with a 'calm aesthetic,' or spending some time in nature. Even watching your favorite show on Netflix can be a form of self-care if it truly helps you decompress and escape for a bit. The key is to be intentional about carving out that time for *you*. It’s about building a sustainable routine that you actually look forward to, rather than just another item on your to-do list.