Sometimes I forget how many times I've picked myself off the floor, how many times I've washed away smudgy makeup and put myself to bed. How many times I've said no to something unhealthy. Said yes to something good. How many times I've treated myself with kindness and patience. I forget how many times I've tended to wounds and made peace with my own anger. If I was taking care of a body that was not my own, I'd believe I was doing everything I could. So here's to remembering that I'm doing the best I can.
Non-cutesy self-care tips
- Have you been eating well? If not, eat a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. You need vitamins and protein.
- You're probably not drinking enough water.
- When is the last time you showered? Take a cold shower to wake you up or a hot shower if you need to relax.
- Do the laundry that's been piling up. You've been wearing that sweatshirt for too long.
- Take care of the dishes in the sink that have been there for three days and have started to stress you out.
- Did you brush your teeth this morning? How about your hair?
- Listen to the messages on your phone that have been there for days.
- Go outside for at least a couple of minutes. You don't even have to do anything; just sit down. Breathe in the fresh air and get some vitamin D.
- Open your blinds. Your room is too dark and it's probably making you tired.
- Spend some time with your pet. Pet them, feed them, take them for a walk or clean out their litter box. Caring for them will make you feel useful and responsible and give you something to do.
The self-care posts that tell you to take a bath and eat chocolate and read a book are good but do what needs to be done first. Eating chocolate when you haven't showered in four days and you can't remember when the last time you changed your underwear was won't make you feel better. It will probably make you feel worse. Clean yourself up; clean your surroundings up. Then take care of the little things. Tackle life one thing at a time.