❤️ Everyday Self-Care ❤️

We often think of self-care as something luxurious and indulgent, something far afield and out there: hotel getaways, lavish gifts, trips to far off places, spa retreats, and shopping sprees.

However, I believe self-care can also be the little everyday things we do to look after ourselves. So, since the world is very tense, money is tight, and people are generally not able to treat themselves to the big things, I thought I’d compile a long list of the little things.

✨Morning Self-Care Rituals:✨

• Wake up and watch a short YouTube video. This gives you a little boost to get you started first thing, and it’s also good to have a goofy little laugh alone in your bed.
• Gently start moving. Do some stretches, wiggle your toes, release the tension in your spine. This is a great way to feel like you’re back in your body and just starting to make that jump between resting and getting up.
• Take your vitamins, medicines, supplements with water before breakfast. Obviously, this depends on when you’re supposed to take your medications - always follow doctors orders. I’m lucky that I can take mine whenever. Taking your medicines and supplements first thing is a great way to show up for yourself and say “I am worthy of looking after. These will help me, so I’m gonna take them consistently and slowly feel the benefit”. Also, top tip from a chronic chaos ball: get yourself a pill organiser. Mine has all the days of the week, with different colours, and it’s been incredibly helpful. Even if I remember to take my pills, sometimes I question it. But with the organiser, I can just see from a glance what I’ve taken and if I’m on track. Great little tool for anyone who likes to keep things easy :)
• Brush your teeth and wash your body. Personal hygiene is incredibly important to our mental and physical wellbeing. You cannot feel okay if you feel unclean and uncared for. After breakfast, brush those pearlies and wash those pits. You will feel so much better :)
• Go for a morning walk. I understand this can entirely depend on what time you start work, but if you can squeeze a walk in, it is such a great way to begin the day. Getting moving gets the motor started. I’m very lucky to have two mucky puppies that need a lot of attention. So, whether I wanna or not, we’re going out in that morning air. And even though sometimes, it’s like “please, five more minutes” ultimately it is so good to get out into the open air and feel your lungs fill with freshness.
• Take pride in your appearance. You don’t have to own fancy clothes, or have a make-up artists arsenal, you just need to take sometime for you. Moisturise your skin, put on deodorant, maybe blow dry your hair and style it. Maybe you could even have fun with it - try out different hairstyles, a new shirt, a darker shade of lipstick. Just put the focus on you and how you’re looking :)

✨Afternoon Self-Care Rituals:✨

• Get yourself some lunch. Whether you make yourself a sandwich and take it work, or you grab something quick nearby, please make the time to eat. All the negative emotions we wrestle to control are never helped by an empty stomach. Fill that baby up with some protein and veggies and maybe even a complimentary cookie.
• Clean your space. Be it your workspace, your bedroom, your kitchen or wherever. Chaos thrives in messy spaces. Claim back your space and make your day easier.
• Stay hydrated. I completely understand that this is so basic, but that’s the entire point. It’s basic and essential. Drink water, have a hot cup of tea, gulp down that juice. Not drinking makes you sluggish. Do the opposite of that and have a lovely day.
• Work in some gentle movement at work. Stiff neck, tight shoulders, aching spine? Yep, we’ve all been there. Make sure you don’t stay stuck in the same position all the time. Roll those shoulders, stretch those arms, heck, even get up and pace around a little. Our bodies were made for movement. Let’s move :)
• Say no to overtime. There’s nothing wrong with occasionally doing a few extra hours, however, work is just work. You are not your job, you are you, and you are very, very important. If you’ve done your job, you’ve done your job. Don’t be bullied, put in that boundary and go home.
• Get home and carve-out some alone time. It’s really important to remember one thing - this life, is YOUR life. Work is just work, your family are important, but they can’t always be your number one priority, friends will understand. Go home, close the curtains and say “this is me time.”

✨Me Time Rituals:✨

• Create a personalised playlist on Spotify.
• Start a jigsaw puzzle.
• Play solitaire (on your phone or with cards).
• Tweeze your eyebrows.
• Play with lego.
• Take a nap.
• Paint your nails, moisturise your feet, put on a face mask.
• Meditate.
• Organise your clothes.
• Try a new work out on YouTube.
• Bake biscuits.

✨Evening Self-Care Rituals:✨

• Eat Dinner. Whether you’ve picked it up, ordered it in, or made it yourself - food is a must. Food is fuel, but also, so much more than that. It’s that comfort after a bad day, it’s that warmth that settles in your stomach whilst you binge Netflix, it’s that final pat on the back for doing your best.
• Read that book. Reading can be so many things, but for me, it’s as close to soulful as it gets. It just feels so personal and intimate, so quiet and special. Curling up, getting comfy, setting your mug to your side, and finding where you left off. Also, if you struggle with sleeping, reading is a fantastic way to wind down, tire out your eyes, and get your brain ready to rest.
• Pick out your clothes for the next day. Decision fatigue is real, guys. Take the stress out of the next day, have your clothes ready and clean and ready to be worn. This also applies to your supplies. Get things ready and there for you to sling over your shoulder.
• Have a long bubble bath. Cliched or not, it’s amazing. Slowly sinking into that comfy heat is magical. Your poor old bones will thank you, your brain will appreciate the relaxing vibes, and your skin and hair will smell amazing. Also, candles. Light candles, put on some gentle music and imagine those secret scenarios close to your heart. I know I do.
• Have an evening snack. As a complete and objective slut for sugar, an evening treat is a must for me. I love a soft and chewy chocolate cookie, a hot chocolate with marshmallows, a slice of banana bread, and pretty much anything that speaks to my inner sugar monster.
• Listen to audiobooks/ASMR content.  Climb into bed, turn off all the lights, and hit play. Your mind will do the rest.

These are just some ideas, but I hope they can be of some help :)