Self-care is a bit like that extra tenner in your bank account, the moment you need it most is exactly the moment it seems long gone.
Maybe it’s an age thing, but I’ve started realising it is so much more important than I once did. I thought it was something to fill an hour you had free when there was nothing decent on TV. Am I insightful or what?
It seems to be having a bit of a moment on social media too. But how exactly do you practise self-care? The common quote is ‘listen to your body’ but if we’re honest that sounds a bit cringe doesn’t it? Like you should mutter the line whilst breaking out the incense sticks you bought on a UK beach break a few too many years ago.
Basically though, I guess it’s just practising taking a moment to realise what you actually want to do, rather than what you should be doing. Try and break it down into three: Do something for your mind, your body, and your soul. And do it every week if you can.
I’ve started banning myself from looking at my phone/laptop right before bed and reading a book instead. I’m not going to lie, resisting the urge to refresh twitter can be a lot harder than you’d think. Or maybe I’ve just got a problem. Who knows?
What I do know though, is that 98 % of the time I tend to have a better sleep afterwards. For extra brownie points I’ve been reading whilst supping on a peppermint tea. Just call me a rock and roll star. Talking about phones though, I’ve also recently stopped the urge to check Facebook as soon as I wake up – instead I’ve been listening to a podcast as I do my makeup and generally get ready, though I am searching for a new one so if you know a good one, hook a girl up.
For the past month or so I’ve promised myself I’d do at least an hour of exercise every week. I know, what a martyr I am, a whole hour (especially as the govt now recommends a whole 150 minutes a week) To be fair though, I’ve stuck at it and it is a lot more than I normally get otherwise. Also it seems a lot easier to drag someone else along when you can promise it is only an hour.
I guess that’s the thing with self-care. It doesn’t need to be big. It doesn’t need to be expensive or instagrammable. It just needs to be something you can actually be fit into your life, that’s simple and that makes you feel better. If it’s beginning to feel like a chore, or too complicated or you begin wondering if it’s the right colour to fit in with your Instagram it’s not self-care, it’s just another thing on your to-do list. And babe, you do not need that.