A working list of my acts of self-care
September 3, 2018
Indulgence
Netflix, so much netflix. But not too much binge watching, which sometimes makes me feel trash, I find a good hour and half/two hours of pure dissociation from the real world and into Seattle Grace hospital is perfect. (FYI currently obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy, Dietland, Desperate Housewives, Brooklyn 99 and Nailed it)
Hot hot hot baths, and all the pampering works. I’m talking face masks, eyebrow plucking, bath bombs from Lush. The process may not be pretty, but I sure as hell am afterwards.
Naps, all the time. Stress naps, celebration naps, cat naps, bus-naps-as-I-listen-to-my-podcasts naps. I love them all.
I like to buy myself flowers occasionally on my way back from work; waking up to them really fills me with joy.
I surround myself in blankets and pretend I’m back inside the comfort of the womb.
My guilty pleasure is watching spot popping videos on youtube and instagram. What can I say? I DON'T ACTUALLY FEEL GUILTY: I LOVE IT.
Sometimes I like to bathe in my pretentious behaviour and wear this beret around the house. I got in Paris; it was just three euros, but makes me feel at least three million.
I find lavender and orange makes me feel calm and happy so I use any opportunity to put it on me. Perfumes, bath bombs, essential oils- I’m alll over it and it’s mostly all over me.
I like looking at baby gorillas and golden retrievers on instagram, so I can get that good old dopamine boost.
I have a little log for the compliments or well wishes my friends give me. When I need a boost, I just flick through my screenshots.
Instagram AGAIN. I like to watching dancing challenges and then practice them in the safety and comfort of my bedroom- until my parents start banging on my door shouting ‘WHAT IS THAT NOISE’.
Wax sealing/ floral foam/amsr videos- google it and feel peace wash over you
Activity
Sometimes I like to cook a particularly good, decadent meal from scratch that requires all my focus. Give it a couple of hours, and then I have a kitchen full of yummy smells and a physical manifestation of my achievements- which is usually a roast chicken.
As a poor uni student, I used to draw out a fiver and buy five of the most random ass products from the pound shop- yes, I do believe in the power of good old retail therapy But also, like, affordable.
A recent love of mine: dancing wildly and miming to Cardi B. Man, ‘I like it’ just makes me feel EMPOWERED.
Taking myself out on little dates. I love going to museums and cinemas by myself, where I can silently cry and pretend I’m in a movie with piano music as my background track.
Evette recommended that I buy an xbox. It’s old, second hand, and I have spent many Sunday nights decapitating the heads of frost trolls on Skyrim. It's great.
Weather dependant, I like to stand in my back garden in bare feet, and feel the grass between my toes. It’s a weird little grounding ceremony, that makes me feel at peace.
Oh my, do I love a good stretch. I spend a good five/ten minutes at least a day rotating my legs, neck, spine- knowing every part of me and how good it feels to move it, knowing it’s all connected.
I take myself out of my own head and focus my efforts on brightening up someone else’s day. I will lavish them with compliments, or recommend an article that reminded me of them.
Organising
Making lists: of things that bring me joy, meals I like to eat, future baby names. I’m not ashamed to admit that the Google Keep app is my most used app on my phone.
This video with kid president- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o. Three minutes and it makes me cry, and it makes me laugh and it’s the best pep talk ever.
In school assemblies as a teenager, I learnt how to silently recite the alphabet backwards in my head. I now use it if I need a quick fix and distraction from some upcoming panic.
I live by a routine. I try to go to bed at the same time, and wake up at the same time. Daily showers, planned meals, and frequent episodes ghtghof ‘me’ time in the day where I can just be with my thoughts.
I’m lame, and I like to take personality quizzes, look up my starsign and learn how to read palms. I don’t really give any credence to these things, but it’s just another avenue in which I can try to understand myself better. Plus, they are great party tricks.
I set boundaries now, and refuse to feel pressured to go out if I don’t feel like it, or keep in contact with someone who brings toxicity to my life. I owe it to myself, to look after and care for myself first and foremost.
