Self-Care in Today’s World
The world right now is full of overwhelming heartbreak. Navigating the day to day may seem like too much, and, if you’re like me, you want to press pause on the world and just have a moment to process and catch your breath. Grief especially has a way of becoming all-consuming - whether you are grieving collectively with the world or on a more personal level as well. I often think about how nice it would be to have a pause button when the fact that the world keeps turning when there is so much pain seems incomprehensible. If only it worked that way! Because we can’t hit pause in life, we have to try and do what is in our control to help cope.
While we likely know that some genuine self care might do us good, the thought of a generic spa day might not seem like a solution especially when there is so much happening around us. A relaxing bubble bath and 12-step skincare routine is a great way to practice self care and if that works for you- that’s awesome, love that for you! It’s just not for everyone or every day. Remember that caring for yourself is only for you and does not have to fit some trendy ideal you see online and will likely be a combination of things.
Struggling to find ideas? Here are some favorites:
Volunteer - focus your efforts in helping others. Donating your time, items and/or money, if finances allow, is a great way to aid in making a positive impact. This could be on a larger scale with an aid organization, gifting clothing or household items, spending time helping an animal shelter, advocating for a cause, or offering your help and support to a member of your local community.
Take a social media break - When the news is full of heavy stories, sometimes we need to take a step back. While it is important to stay up to date with what is happening in the world, it is also okay to step away for a few hours or days. Social media has so many positives, but has some downsides as well and can be all-consuming - whether re: news, celebrity stories, or individuals sharing the social media versions of their lives it can be daunting. Set some boundaries on how much time you want to spend online, what you want to be consuming, etc and consider identifying alternate avenues to receive these updates, such as reading news articles from trusted sites/journalists and connecting with the people in your life outside of social media.
Get creative - spend some time in creativity in whatever way you most enjoy. This could be spending some time painting or drawing (join us at Mindfulness Paint Night!), sculpting, engaging with photography, crafting, cooking or baking. Maybe it is baking some goodies and sharing with a neighbor. Grabbing sidewalk chalk and bringing some color to the sidewalk. Adding to your friendship bracelet collection is another fun way to be creative (that we can thank Taylor Swift for!) and may make someone’s day.
Spend time outside - go for a walk through a park, head to the beach, hike with a friend, go for a drive somewhere pretty, or find a place in your neighborhood to sit and enjoy the nature around you. Anything new blooming? Notice the wildlife, the weather, the fresh air.
Listen to your body - maybe this means you need an extra hour or two of sleep, a cozy new squishmellow, or a nice and relaxing long bath. It could also mean going for a walk, doing some yoga, or heading to the gym to get to sweating. Maybe prioritizing a simple skincare routine truly is something you’ve been wanting to do or just feels nice to hydrate your skin and offer yourself a brief facial massage. Perhaps you’d like to shower and actually wash your hair. Remember to start with the basics and ensure you are eating regularly and hydrating yourself! Spend a moment slowing down and asking your body what it needs - you might be surprised what you notice.
Try mindfulness - many of the previously listed activities are mindful! Checking in with yourself and working to be aware of the present moment, how you feel physically and emotionally is important. Make or pick up a favorite beverage or snack and take a moment to just enjoy it! You did something nice for yourself- notice how the drink smells, how it feels in your hand, how it tastes, what it looks like. Enjoy the moment!
Take a day, or a few hours, for a mental health day - Probably this means sleeping in, watching a new or old favorite movie, and minimizing your to-do list for a few hours. Be careful here - while we all need some quality tv time, I encourage you to not completely dissociate for hours on end. It could also mean spending time catching up on the things you’ve been putting off - doing some laundry, making doctor or therapy appointments, tidying your space, grocery shopping or meal prepping for the week. Whatever you can do to try and make the day to day a little easier.
Connect with others - reach out to someone you’d like to spend more time with and set up a time to connect. Call or text a friend. Go to therapy - if you don’t have a therapist and are considering it, let us know! We have some amazing therapists who would love to be an added support in your life. Having a place where you can share, process, and be supported is important, especially when you are hurting.
The most important thing is to check in with yourself and figure out what you are actually needing. Often, it is the most basic of things that we neglect. Social media does not need to dictate how that looks for you. Work to redefine self-care for yourself as we navigate this difficult season!
