So, I originally wrote this post back in 2021, fresh off the wounds of the pandemic and a new normal of nothing ever being the same again. Saying that year started off differently is an understatement, especially considering all we trekked through.
The original post was focused on that year specifically, but, given the current climate of things, an updated was needed. Now, more than ever, we must take care of ourselves as a lifestyle practice.
You know this space is all about turning inward so we’re always going to make time to talk about 5 ways to take better care of ourselves in the 21st century.
1. Make Sure You #SelfCareSunday
There used to be something dreadful about the ever-approaching Sunday afternoon/evening time. Going back to work/class/uneventful average day where you know you’re going to have to spend a significant amount of your time away from stuff you’d rather be doing is enough to de-motivate even the happiest of us. #SelfCareSunday has managed to become a movement worth being a part of that rounds out the start of a new week with a breath of fresh air.
#selfcaresunday
While my self-care activities are mostly undocumented for public viewing, I love sharing ideas, setups, and images on my social media pages that I believe inspire others to make their self-care a priority. If you’re stumped on ideas or need a little inspiration search #SelfCareSunday for ideas.
2. Take On or Revisit a Hobby
This sounds so cliche, I know. But I’m not wrong and even though it isn’t the most glamorous suggestion there is science out there to back me up. Hobbies make for much happier, relaxed, and present humans being. You can even open up another tab and look it up. The best thing about a hobby is you can pick it up and put it down when you’re ready to.
Hobbies help you focus, achieve, engage, and enjoy your pleasure. Decide what you’re going for. Do you need something exciting and active or quiet and restful? Somedays I work outside in my garden areas and sweat until I’m satisfied. Others I’m strolling around with my camera or lounging with a good book. The idea is you do something you enjoy to help balance the things you may enjoy less.
3. Create a Daily Ritual
Working from home and homeschooling my kids has been a busy event for me to say the least (I know more than a few can relate) but turns out it’s all too easy to get stuck on that hamster wheel of a routine. Prioritizing myself on the regular is the biggest flex to my, otherwise average, day.
It’s mostly small efforts of things that I really really want to do. Taking a walk through my garden, getting in a workout or having breakfast with my husband before I start my work day are my top 3 on any given day. It’s kind of the space where I dive into the things that I love as a choice instead of a “maybe later”.
4. Check in with Yourself Regularly
Taking better care of ourselves means being honest too. Let’s tell ourselves the truth this year, ok? There is a line between encouragement and setting an alarm that you know won’t give you enough notice to make it on time. One builds motivation and confidence while the other has you blaming Murphy’s Law.
So be honest and check-in with yourself. Ask yourself: What do I currently need to focus on? Is there anything I can do to prepare for this accomplishment or achievement? What things can distract my focus? What can I do to avoid or push distractions aside?
5. Start a Gratitude/Affirmations Journal
This is something I believe so strongly in and consider as a self-care activity for myself. Starting and/or ending your day with gratitude/affirmation journaling is probably the one thing I believe everyone should be doing in these unreal times. Right now I’m using the Ink and Volt Grateful journal (cause I crave structure lol).
I love the layout but I encourage you to just grab a notebook or even a few sheets of paper and try it for 30 days…try it for a week. When you aren’t sure what to write go back and read some of your entries for inspiration or write down what made you happiest.
When I didn’t know where to begin, I started with affirmations of where I wanted to be.
What to do: Write the date at the top of the page and list 3 things you are grateful for each morning. (I usually do this some time between after getting dressed for the day and before I start work or head out the door.)
Small and deliberate acts of self-care create balance in our lives and get us closer to the life we see for ourselves.
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