Oh, self-care…?

 

What is self-care? According to Psychology Today, it’s “the mindful taking of time to pay attention to you, not in a narcissistic way, but in a way that ensures that you are being cared for by you.” It’s about taking a moment to evaluate your anxiety, recenter yourself, and think about what activities make you feel cared for.

@them

Oh, yes. Self-care. I think we all need this right now. I've been thinking that with work, life and the fucking nightmare that is our political landscape, I am going to have to invest in myself. Because if we don't love ourselves....

1. Seeking Joy: I discovered that when I focus on my daily walks, when I'm alone and wandering around my neighborhood with nary a soul in sight, it's when I'm most at ease. I need more of that.

2. Seeking guidance: Two years ago I had some talks with a therapist because I was feeling close to being burnout and because I despise my boss. I think I'm going to do that again. Not as much due to the burnout situation, but because I still despise my boss. My handmade solution to that? I avoid that woman.

3. Staying in touch with my body: I am taking a little bit more care of my body. I do my YouTube videos and dedicate at least half an hour to doing either a little HIIT and walking or even stretching. I'm not getting any younger...

4. Making art: I'm not artistic, but I dedicate time to make my living quarters purdy. I wish I could paint, or play an instrument or sing, though. That would be awesome.

5. Giving myself space to ponder: duh. That's why I have this blog thingy here. It's me Marie-Kondo-ing my mind.

6. Getting good sleep: I am sleeping better. I used to have terrible sleep patterns but I read somewhere that we all need eight hours of sleep or we get wrinkly and get terrible undereye circles. I immediately decided I needed to sleep better.

7. Having faith: I have faith people will vote in the upcoming elections with their conscience and not their emotions. 

8. Trying something new: I am getting into vision boards. Something like Mad's Mood Boards but in my mind. Manifesting, the kids call it.

9. Not losing my Queerness: I try to remind myself of that. LOL Kidding! As Queer as Fuck. Just look at this blog (or my Pages).

10. Knowing I'm never alone: this is actually good for all of us. We are not an island. We need others. We need our tribe. I have my people, my allies, my accomplices. And you, Constant Reader. I have you.

11. Completing the 'Stress Response Cycle': I am trying to release negativity after each trigger. I am trying to not keep anything 'inside'. I talk about my issues and problems, I try to do physical activity that tires me. I indulge in activities that relax me after a full day of hearing about the bullshit and fuckery that MAGAts and Don Fartleone have vomited all over us.

And you, Constant Reader, are you doing some self-care?

XOXO