Various people keep telling me to try self-care? What exactly is it? I assume it goes beyond bathing and eating...someone suggested a pedicure, which doesn't appeal, someone else a night on the town which doesn't really fit in. Do people here even bother with self-care, if so what do you do?
This bedroom is my quiet little place of solitude. I read, sleep, meditate, pray...just decompress. It has saved my life.
It didn't cost me a dime.
My exercise and sitting out in the sun cost me nothing, either.
I also go to movies alone. Go to the Dollar showing of whatever DH doesn't want to see. Few friends, but that's OK.
The only real expense I have is my therapist. She's 100% worth it.
For many it is a little quiet time. For a few, it's the freedom to go outside and scream at the top of your lungs. A cup of coffee at the right time is "self-care."
And yes, sometimes it's a cookie. Or a bowl of ice cream. It's just something you can do for yourself that will give you some mental relief.
How do I love ME? Let me count the ways ...
* I always get a Sunday paper. I take the puzzle page and toss the rest. It gets folded just-so and stays with a pencil on a clipboard by my bathtub where ...
* I take a long hot bath every night. Usually with bubbles. My husband brings me ice water. I text him for refills. No little people allowed near the door. The dog sleeps on my towel beside the tub. I work on the Sunday puzzles.
* Pedicures. Regularly. I stop at the store for another crossword and a fountain Coke, and I don't leave the massage chair while I dry (unless they are busy).
* Massages. Regularly. I have a standing appt. She gives me hugs and tells me to breathe deeply and relax. I try not to snore.
* On the way home from the massage, I stop at the taco truck. Because TACOS!!
* I buy myself flowers at the grocery store. Regularly.
* I hired TWO drivers for my MIL. Because MILs aren't always nice, and I don't need the extra crazy.
* I keep a bag of 'the good ice' from the ice house in the freezer. It's mine. I will share, but you may not take.
* ^^^ Same with my chocolate/cookie stash.
* I hired a housekeeper. She comes every week. It is heavenly.
* I take walks with my loyal pup around a local lake.
* I play happy music while I'm working around the house.
* I listen to interesting podcasts.
* I tutor. Regularly. I love the interaction with big people (high schoolers). It gives me a chance to use my BRAIN. And it pays for all the ME LOVE listed above. 😜
Sit. Relax your body.
Imagine something beautiful and calming to you.
30 seconds: read one paragraph from a book, a passage from a Bible or some Buddhist wisdom. Direct your mind for the day by reading something inspiring.
I make a very healthy bullet drink. Let me know if you want the list of ingredients.
I jog (at age 66), although slow going + stretch.
I learned 50 years ago people make or find time when people want to for whatever is important to us.
We are making choices each moment every day - 1,000s of them.
It 'helps' when we consider that we can give to others (energy, focus) when we give that to our self, first. We cannot run on empty; that does not serve anyone for the longer haul.
Re-newing our self IS caregiving to another.
"Mostly" women have been conditioned/taught to put others' needs before our own, to the point, we do not know what our needs are (self-care). Somehow, it is a gift to end up caregiving 'somehow' to learn how to care for our self, first.
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