Ideas & how to practice it
I think one of the most important lesson in life is that you only got yourself, for the rest of your days. You’ll always be the one standing for yourself in the end wether you like it or not, and it’s not selfish, it’s just the way it is. You won’t always be able to count on someone because we all have our own lives, we’re all characters in each other’s story even though they’re only side characters in ours. People get hurt, people hurt others, it’s a circle and it’s never going to stop because without pain, we don’t have sadness, or anger and the world cannot live on people who are always happy. But that’s why we need to take care of ourselves. The question is, do YOU take care of yourself? Do you take time to become a better human being? Do you make things that genuinely make you happy once every month or multiple times a week?
You know, if you’re always giving your energy to other people and making other people happy, never really taking care of yourself, one day your battery will run out and you will realise how much you should’ve invested in yourself. Let me tell you, of all the investments you can make, your own self is the one that’s going to make you the richest. It’s all about the way you see this, your perception. Be at least good to yourself before being amazing to other people.
Also, don’t get me wrong, being there for people is one of my favorite things but I can’t be there for anyone if I’m truly never there for myself. Stop trying to grow everybody else’s garden and take care of yours.
Now ask yourself these questions, and answer them on a paper or on notes in your phone.
- When was the last time you did any kind of self care?
- What were you doing?
- Did it make you feel at peace with yourself? If not, why?
- Were your thoughts somewhere else or fully present in the moment?
- Was there another individual involved in this self care session? If yes, were you doing self care for them or for you?
Why is self care so important?
To live.
We all have a purpose here on earth but in the end the most logical and basic one is to keep our body and soul alive throughout all those years. Nourishing your soul and body is not only to answer to the physiological needs such as eating and sleeping but it is also to pamper your soul and body in many different ways, to feel better, then live better, then help people better then being better.
Different categories of self care
There’s not only one way to practice self care, there are so many.
Physical – Moving your body, making it feel happy and boosting another kind of serotonin in your brain.
Ideas – Working out, practicing a sport you like, going on a walk/run, going to go get a massage for fun or if some part of your body is hurting, dancing alone or with someone, eating healthy or eating specifically what you were craving all week healthy or not, sleeping (taking a nap or just getting in your daily 8 hour of sleep).
Emotional – Whatever comes with your emotions and actually dealing with them and not ignoring them because it definitely makes it all worse. They need your attention so fucking give it to them because sooner or later they’ll come back screaming and you won’t like it.
Ideas – Writing down your emotions, daily gratitude journal, see a therapist, talk about your true and honest feelings either alone or to someone you trust, buy the exercise book Self-Love by Megan Logan and get to it.
Spiritual – Growing yourself and nurturing your soul is another way of taking care of you.
Ideas – Meditation (YES SO IMPORTANT GIRLFRIEND), yoga, read books that make you learn about self growth and getting to your dreams, spending time alone, do nothing and when I say that I mean sit on a chair outside connect with nature and do nothing just think and look in front of you, this is when you’re going to learn most about yourself.
Social – Spending time alone is great, but you’ll understand different part of yourself by hanging out with people and also, it’s good for you, don’t isolate yourself.
Ideas – Getting together with a friend, calling someone you’ve been missing to tell them you miss them, spending time with your family, being there for someone that needs it, putting yourself out there in any way possible, basically being with people.
To me, social selfcare is also this: Putting your limits, not answering a text you don’t want to answer right now, respecting your values around others even if they don’t have the same, not letting other people put you down or speak you down, etc.
Personal – This one to me, can be a lot of different things, and I think it’s defined by who you are and what you like. Personal self care is personal and it varies from person to person, but it’s doing the things you like and respecting your boundaries and self.
Ideas – An everything shower, being in your own routine, getting out of the routine from time to time, listen to music, listening to podcasts, getting your nails/hair/lashes/brows done, cooking, watching a comfort show/movie, organising/cleaning, going on a shopping spree, getting a tattoo or a piercing, showing up for yourself everyday even when you don’t want to, lighting up a candle, buying yourself flowers, writing, painting, making a vision board, getting ready, taking a bath, masturbating (please do it is so important) and multiple other things big or little that makes you happy.
There are so many ways to take care of you and to grow yourself, but just know that each time you pamper yourself, you’re glowing and blooming and becoming this beautiful human being. Taking care of you will never be selfish because when you feel good within you and at peace, you’re doing the world a favor.
Remember that selfcare doesn’t have to be this whole big thing everyday, it can simply be a 5 minutes meditation when you wake up. The more you do it, the more you’ll feel it.
Love ya gorgeous
Mwah.
