10 Forms of Self Care I Practice Regularly

1. Yoga. I got into yoga late last year when I was home all the time due to unemployment. It is my favorite way to move my body and relax my mind. I find it so restoring, physically, mentally and spiritually. It makes me feel connected to the earth in a way that reminds me that I am part of nature and I am supposed to connect with it and appreciate all the beauty it has to offer. Yoga is my way of reseting myself and gaining perspective of who I am and why I am here.
2. Journaling. I have journaled somewhat consistently since 8th grade. As a writer, even from that young age, journaling was a wonderfully therapeutic way of expressing my thoughts and processing the events of my life. I have filled quite a few journals in the years since and I am so grateful that I did. They are eye opening resources to me when I am feeling stuck and fearing a lack of growth. I look back at those journals from years previous and see just how far I have come and how much I have learned and changed for the better.
3. Creating Art. I have always had an artsy flair! I even dreamed of being a fashion designer in high school:) In the last year I have really leaned into my artsy side and allowed myself to just create whatever came to mind. I have many paintings of mine placed around my room as well as those I have made as gifts and given to family. Art is such a beautiful thing because it can literally be anything. If you see it as art then that is exactly what it is. I also have a notebook I use for sketches when I am not feeling like a painter. I have filled it with any and every doodle or concept I could conjure up. I love looking through it and admiring what my mind allows my hands to create. And of course I could not talk about art without mentioning writing. I also create art when I write. I am in the process of writing three books. Someday I will finish them and get published and then you all will be able to read my art!
4. Visiting the Beach. I live by a large lake, Lake Michigan, and love the fact I can drive to the beach and watch the waves crash against the shore and walk on the soft sand pretty much any time I want. I also have always felt a connection to water. My parents told me that when I was younger I always pointed out how beautiful and powerful water was, is. I feel the exact same still. Water has fascinated me my whole life, so being able to go to the beach and sit in my car or on the sand and just watch and listen brings me an unimaginable comfort. It calms me when I am anxious, and brings joy when I am upset.
5. Listening to Music. My mind is always running a million miles an hour so when I am able to put my earbuds in and play my favorite music I am finally able to focus and truly rest. Taking care of yourself means allowing yourself to rest in every way possible, not just physically but mentally. Listening to music is that mental rest I so desperately need.
6. Physical Self Care. Self care is not only mental but physical. I love a late night steaming shower to release the stress of the day and prepare for sleep. I lather myself in indulgent lotion and do my multi-step skincare to ready myself for the day to come. If I have extra time I will add a sheet mask to my routine as I watch T.V before bed. Putting effort into my physical body is as important as putting that effort into my mental and emotional health.
7. Eating. Now this may not seem like a form of self care to some but in fact it is. It is probably the absolute BEST form of self care anyone could do. As someone that has battled a form of an ED I can attest to just how important food is. Since going completely vegan I have found the motivation to truly nourish my body with all the wonderful foods it truly needs. I eat veggies and fruits and forms of protein and many other vitamins my body needs to continue to function properly. I finally am giving my body what it needs and allowing myself to eat. Eat! Food is important!
8. Having Time to Myself. While I like being with people and feel it is important I feel it is equally as important to have time to myself. That may look different for everyone but for me, it looks like going into my room and writing or laying on my carpet listening to music. I also love taking a drive, windows down, weather permitting, and singing at the top of my lungs!
9. Taking Time Away From Screens. I love a distraction as much as the next person. Let’s face it, life can be boring or straight up uncomfortable. Screens and earbuds are a very effective way of escape. A few months ago I started making the conscious decision everyday to spend time away from any screen and leaving my earbuds in the case. It was difficult at first but eventually I craved it and the amount of time I went without them became longer and longer. If I am being honest I have fallen off the wagon. I rarely spend time without either a screen or an earbud playing something to distract my brain but I am working on it! When I was doing this consistently it became almost comforting. I was able to quiet my brain and really focus on listening to my body. I also was getting better at allowing myself to be alone with my thoughts which is scary at times.
10. Saying NO. Saying no has always been a difficult thing for me. I am after all what they call a people-pleaser. Saying no felt like I was doing something wrong. If someone asked me to do something and all I really wanted and needed was a quiet day or night in my bed I would forgo my desires and say, “yes.” While there is a fine line between prioritizing yourself and being a hermit, I think we all need to and deserve to find that peace with saying, “NO” every once in a while. I started learning to say “no” two years ago when I was living alone in my apartment and my sister was in another state. I learned that I can decide what I want to do and don’t want to do and I do not at all have to give a reason or excuse. My sister is really good at setting those boundaries so I tried my best to embrace that while she was not there to say it for me. It helped me a lot, to this day it can be difficult at times but it is getting much easier. Protect yourself and your peace. If something is not serving you let it go. If you feel like you are constantly saying yes, think before you answer. Think about what would make you happy in the situation. If it brings you joy to go or do something, do it! If it doesn’t, don’t do it!

These are just ten things I do on a regular basis to take care of myself mentally, physically and emotionally. Taking care of myself has not always been a priority of mine. Not until my early twenties did I find out its importance, but since then I have been able to discover what truly makes me happy and allows me to keep fighting. I love taking care of myself and encouraging others to do the same. You are the MOST important person in your life. If you have people in your life you want to take care of you need to know that taking care of yourself is in fact a way to take care of them. You are not going to be able to care for others if you do not first take care of yourself. Love yourself. Honor yourself. Honor your body, mind and soul. You are special and deserve all the self care and love you can give.

I love this quote I found on Pinterest. I apologize, I do not know who said it but whoever it is was on to something.

“You deserve all the love you have been trying to give to everyone else.”

Let me say it again.

“YOU DESERVE ALL THE LOVE YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GIVE TO EVERYONE ELSE!”

Save some of that love for yourself, you will thank yourself!

Thank you so much for reading this far! I hope you enjoyed this post. I post every Tuesday and Wednesday and would greatly appreciate it if you followed my blog and liked this post! I also have an instagram @livingituphalfheartedly and would love it if you followed me there as well! I am not as consistent with posting on instagram but I am working on it! Thank you to all my readers it honestly means the world to me when you read whatever the hell I put on this blog!