Self Care Series

Welcome to my Self Care Series on the blog. Here I'll be honing in on those aspects of "self care" that we don't really like to talk about as adults.

Yes, I'm referring to the things we always say we're gonna do, but never really get around to it. The things we start off on a whim, then fail to keep it consistent. The things that we know are good for us, but we just can't find the space for such change.

It's time for some real, raw honesty. Like, intense vegan raw...

How many times have you said you were gonna wake up a half hour earlier to do a 10 minute yoga stretch before you start your day, then hit snooze the next morning, justifying it by claiming to have had a hard time falling asleep...?

"I honestly needed that extra rest!"

Then by the second day, that daily yoga is forgotten and it's onto the next resolution that never really comes into actualization.

Like that pilates class you started ions ago? Missed a few due to your busy schedule and increasing responsibilities? You remember that awesome feeling you had after you completed a workout? Or has it been so long that the only awesomeness you know now is being so accepted by your sheets and pillows now that you can't leave them longer than it's absolutely necessary?

Is that Venti Caramel Macchiato and Impossible Breakfast Sandwich from Starbucks really your version of the"Breakfast of Champions"? Do you think Usain Bolt starts his day off with a sugar latte and overly processed cheese? (No offence to Starbys though... I love me some high calorie comfort food now and then). But I wouldn't bet on it if I were you.

Are you so focused on everything going on outside of yourself that you rob yourself of the attention and time that is needed to ensure your needs are taken care of?

I told you, this is the time for RAW honesty.

Here's a news flash for young adults:

You are now responsible for taking care of yourself!

Believe me, it took me about 6 years to figure this out. But once it hit home, I've evolved quicker than I ever thought I could.

Taking care of yourself, or as we Millennials like to call it : *Self-Care* is all encompassing and it takes a sh*t tonne of discipline and self awareness. I always like to start there because your needs are going to differ from your partner's needs, your bredrin's needs, your favourite local influencer's needs... you get the point.

Self awareness is key. Most importantly, get familiar with your strengths and weaknesses. Know and acknowledge your bad habits, your subconscious thoughts and reactions, your likes and dislikes.

That way you don't convince yourself that working out with your friend group won't end up in a beers lime with the boys after the gym. Or worse, "Let's skip the gym today because Crystal and she man broke up and the only thing that could help is ice cream and stalking his IG collectively.... For moral support, of course."

Now discipline is très important in any aspect of Self Care. Let's not get into the fact that self care is even a thing that people don't prioritize or actively practice. It should not, but it does require a level of discipline to practice consistent self-care.

However, since we are being brutally honest, we can acknowledge the fact that we live in an era where being "too busy" is a flex. It's a characteristic of the average young adult who is trying to actualize their dreams. Don't get me wrong, I respect the hustle. But can we acknowledge the cost?

And while we're acknowledging things, how about the fact that we also live in a time where information is readily and abundantly available to us. We have the answers to any question at the tip of our thumbs, in just about the amount of time it takes us to tap "search". Why not use some of that power to find ways to fit ourselves into our own busy schedules?

We literally have everything that we need.

And all we have is right now.

So allow me to start off this Self Care Series by challenging you all to ask yourself daily, any time you have a free 15 minutes during your day:

"What can I do right now, in this moment to show myself some real self care? What do I need right now?"

Keep it real with yourself. Make it a habit to check in with yourself. Treat yourself like someone you're responsible for taking care of... because you actually, kind of, are responsible for taking care of you. Make your personal self care a priority. (Think about that airplane analogy people always use... you put the mask on yourself before you help anyone else... because you can't help anyone else if you're literally running out of air.) It fits here too.

I hope by now you're hungry for more, because there's definitely more to come! ツ What do you have to look forward to, you ask? Okay I'll give you a little teaser in point form because that's quick and fun:

• Working It Out - My body : a reflection of my mind.

• What Does Your Soul Say?

• Mental Warfare is NORMAL!

• Did Someone Say "Boundaries"?

Sounding exciting, no? I can't wait to share more of my journey with you all. While you're here, check out my last post (it's pretty old, but I digress...), or stay tuned for my next one.

Thank you for reading and liking this post. Feel free to share it with someone you think needs to read it. ♡