Given the events of 2020, there’s no doubt that self-care holds an important place in our lives. It’s our chance to escape the day-to-day stresses, calm your racing thoughts, and focus on you. And despite what the ‘gram may have you believe, self-care isn’t just about hot bubble baths and yoga. Here are some ideas to inspire your self-care routine that you didn’t realize counted as self-care:
1. Journaling
Take all the chaos from your mind and put it into paper. Journaling can be a very therapeutic practice in this sense. There are no rights or wrongs, just words and doodles on the page. Don’t worry about getting it perfect.
2. Reading
Self-care isn’t just being mindful of our physical health. It can also be about enriching our knowledge. Reading a book, whether to learn or simply to entertain, can help you expand your mind and escape to an alternate reality.
3. Practicing Gratitude
We have so much to be grateful for every day. Being conscious of some of these things can help to keep life in perspective, lift our mood, and find happiness in less-than-perfect situations. Keep a gratitude list. Read it and add to it often.
4. Completing a Project
Do you have a nagging monster on your to-do list that you’ve been avoiding? Unfinished business could be causing you more stress than you realize. Allowing yourself time to complete those things and cross them off forever can help restore your peace of mind.
5. Shopping
There’s never a bad reason to treat yourself. After all, life is short and you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Buying yourself a small something or subscribing to a monthly Passion and Growth box can also motivate you to continue pushing forward.
6. Saying No
Sometimes, saying no can be the best thing you do for your mental health. It prevents you from taking on more than you handle and leaves you free time to rest, restore, and let creativity thrive.
The bottom line is this: self-care doesn’t always look the way you imagine. Find ways to love yourself in life’s little moments so you can be better prepared to weather bigger storms.
