Self-care takes so many forms and it’s a very personal thing to everyone. We all have those things that lift us up, the things that we like to do, the things that help to make us feel like our best selves again.
I consider myself to be an unapologetic self-care queen.
Self-care is integral to my life, not an added extra.
It needn’t be hours of time. I don’t take myself off for a spa day every weekend! It should simply be woven into our days.
It’s the basics for me that underpin everything. Getting out into the fresh air, drinking plenty of water, feeding myself well, moving my body, resting my body.
Self-care can be the little things in your day where it’s a moment for you.
A relaxing cup of tea, playing your favourite song, using some scented hand cream. These things aren’t huge, but if you pepper moments like this throughout your day, every day, you’ll start to feel the benefit.
I take care of my body in little moments throughout the day, just small things that make me feel happier, make me feel like I’m treating myself. I prioritise moving and nourishing it and then I like to pamper it a little.
I might put on a hair mask, reach for a gorgeous smelling body lotion, take five minutes to do my skincare routine. Little things that barely add any more minutes to the day but they feel like moments for me, when I’m looking after myself.
Of course life likes to get in the way and life, work and taking care of the kids and home can sometimes threaten to overwhelm me. But I’ve learned that it’s at those times that I need moments of self-care more than any other times. Those are not the moments to prioritise everything but yourself, quite the opposite.
I know that on those days when I am feeling frazzled, I need my yoga. I need to unwind with a book before bed. I need to listen to music and sing loudly. I need to cuddle up with the kids.
Then there are those days that I need to watch one of my comfort films. The Husband knows that when I’m putting one of those on, it’s been a day! There’s just something about relaxing into one of those.
Why ‘unapologetic’? Self care should never be something you feel guilty for, something you only spend time on if you have had a super productive day, week or even month. No, this doesn’t have to be ‘earned’ it should be just be a normal part of your day.
I don’t love that there is a ‘self-care’ movement, yet here I am writing about it so I recognise that in some way I’m contributing to it. These things should just be normal to us, we should always be looking after ourselves, we shouldn’t need reminders and memes. We shouldn’t need to feel we have to justify ourselves for taking these moments, but this is where we are.
If you don’t build in these little moments in your day already, how could you start to do that? What would you start with? Have a think about what you think you’d love to do and that’s where you should begin.
Me, I love my yoga, walking, skincare, happy mail, time with my dog, learning new things, reading, music, seeing friends, taking care of my plants, and I could go on.
Of course I can’t fit all of these things into one day, but over several weeks, these are the things that make me smile.
If you’ve yet to find the things that restore your balance, take a moment now to consider what they might be.
It’s a very individual thing, for you it might be getting out for a run, taking a nap, baking cakes, adult colouring, tidying and decluttering, journaling, the list is endless as we all love so many different things. Try new things, explore to find out what you might love to do. Learning and trying new things in itself is self-care.
It’s up to you to take care of you. I know you’re probably also taking care of plenty of other people and you usually meet their needs first. I’m just suggesting that from time to time, you meet your own needs.
No apologies. You need to take care of yourself, and the people around you need you to do that too. You’ll be happier, healthier and more productive for it. And who doesn’t want to be those things?
Could you be an unapologetic self-care queen?