Self-love is the best, Love

It's Sunday evening, another week has gone by in a flash and you still haven't taken care of yourself like you planned.  Sigh.. how many times have you made and broken this promise to yourself. Too many to count.  Everything and everyone must be attended to with the utmost urgency except.. you.  You put your needs last, yourself on the back burner in order to make sure everyone else's needs are met. There's something wrong with this picture. 

But there's hope for you yet. There are 7 more days ahead of you and so many decisions to make, meals to prep, bills to pay, kids to pick up and drop off, mouths to feed.  I get it. But tonight I want you to make one more decision. Just one and it's easy.  Choose one day this week to take 30 minutes just to be alone.  I know this may not sound like the most luxurious form of self-care but it works.  Alone time can be one of the most fulfilling, satisfying forms of self-care and an act of Self-love.  During this time it's just you.  Your time to do whatever you want. I'm sure you may be hoping for a chance to get more time away from the rat race of life.  I get it but think about it like this.  If you give a child 30 minutes to run through their favorite store and grab whatever they can get their hands on, they'd probably think that was a mighty long time.  And it is. So let’s take at least 30 minutes for ourselves once a week. If you need some ideas of what to do here are some below., after all it’s International Self- Care Day! 

1. Bathtime 

The quintessential bubble bath. Something so simple and rewarding. For many, water is so relaxing. And there are so many add-ins and accessories to make your bathtime a luxurious experience. Everyone has a bath and hopefully a lock for your door to keep the kids out lol . Also try adding noise canceling headphones for a fully immersive experience. 

2. At-home facial 

This is one of my favorites. As a card holder of the Acne Club since puberty,  I love a good facial. I’ve recently updated my skin care routine and have chosen Monday as my facial day. This also has become my Selfcare day. Why Monday? Well for most it’s the dreaded day of the week lol it’s usually chaotic nothing goes as planned for Mondays. Monday just has a bad rep, Poor guy. So to make Mondays more bearable and a day  to look forward to as opposed to dressing on Sunday evening; I’ve made the conscious decision to make it my self-care day. It’s been beneficial and improved my weekly outlook by starting the week with something positive planned. 

3. Reading a few pages from  your favorite book

 If you find it difficult to finish your favorite books because of lack of time try making this apart or your self-care. Taking 30 minutes to read a few pages we’ll help you finish your book sooner than you think. Much needed quiet time doing something you enjoy. You may start allowing yourself more than 30 minutes a week for this. Remember 30 minutes is just a start, when your schedule permits, treat yourself to alittle more me time.  

4. Morning/ afternoon/ evening prayer and devotional 

I have an early morning routine and most mornings I spend some time in prayer, meditation, or reading pages from a devotional, like this one.  This helps me spiritually, guiding my sense of purpose. Life can be overwhelming and I find myself needing something to believe in that’s greater than myself. This helps me hold on with hope and hang in there during tough times or the unexpected. The early mornings when everyone is asleep work best for me to spend in prayer or devotion. If this peaks your interest, choose a time that  works for your family's schedule when you’re least likely to be interrupted and able to  fully devote yourself. 

5. Journaling 

As a form of self-care this is easiest and more productive with objective journaling prompts.  You can find these all over, for free on  Pinterest and for purchase on Amazon. Helping to reflect, demonstrate gratitude, or brainstorm for the future, journaling provides a means of chronicling and making sense of your feelings about a person or a situation. 

6. Retail therapy 

Ahh yes retail therapy. I think it’s the instant gratification that makes this one so rewarding. To prevent overspending or buyers remorse, carefully  consider your wants and needs.  Treat yo’ self but make it intentional, that is a form of self-care. 

7. Budgeting and Planning

Wait wait.. hear me out on this one. Are you a facts and figures type or avid list maker? Maybe instead of a spa day or retail therapy spreadsheets are more your speed. Take 30 minutes to budget and plan your week or month. Find creative ways to do this with templates, planning stickers, or other paper and writing supplies that get you excited about your self care day. 

8. Creating

however you choose, create. Tapping into this skill weekly is so rewarding. Especially if what you do for a living doesn’t allow the freedom of creativity. Whatever you choose to create, do it for at least least 30 minutes a week. Art comes in many forms and includes but certainly not limited to, drawing, knit, crochet, audio visual, writing, building, cooking, baking, decorating, podcasts, music production. Tapping into your talents can be rewarding and instantly self-gratifying. 

There are many ways to self-care but I hope these are some suggestions to help get you started today. xo

1. Bathtime 

The quintessential bubble bath. Something so simple and rewarding. For many, water is so relaxing. And there are so many add-ins and accessories to make your bathtime a luxurious experience. Everyone has a bath and hopefully a lock for your door to keep the kids out lol . Also try adding noise canceling headphones for a fully immersive experience. 

2. At-home facial 

This is one of my favorites. As a card holder of the Acne Club since puberty,  I love a good facial. I’ve recently updated my skin care routine and have chosen Monday as my facial day. This also has become my Selfcare day. Why Monday? Well for most it’s the dreaded day of the week lol it’s usually chaotic nothing goes as planned for Mondays. Monday just has a bad rep, Poor guy. So to make Mondays more bearable and a day  to look forward to as opposed to dressing on Sunday evening; I’ve made the conscious decision to make it my self-care day. It’s been beneficial and improved my weekly outlook by starting the week with something positive planned. 

3. Reading a few pages from  your favorite book

 If you find it difficult to finish your favorite books because of lack of time try making this apart or your self-care. Taking 30 minutes to read a few pages we’ll help you finish your book sooner than you think. Much needed quiet time doing something you enjoy. You may start allowing yourself more than 30 minutes a week for this. Remember 30 minutes is just a start, when your schedule permits, treat yourself to alittle more me time.  

4. Morning/ afternoon/ evening prayer and devotional 

I have an early morning routine and most mornings I spend some time in prayer, meditation, or reading pages from a devotional, like this one.  This helps me spiritually, guiding my sense of purpose. Life can be overwhelming and I find myself needing something to believe in that’s greater than myself. This helps me hold on with hope and hang in there during tough times or the unexpected. The early mornings when everyone is asleep work best for me to spend in prayer or devotion. If this peaks your interest, choose a time that  works for your family's schedule when you’re least likely to be interrupted and able to  fully devote yourself. 

5. Journaling 

As a form of self-care this is easiest and more productive with objective journaling prompts.  You can find these all over, for free on  Pinterest and for purchase on Amazon. Helping to reflect, demonstrate gratitude, or brainstorm for the future, journaling provides a means of chronicling and making sense of your feelings about a person or a situation. 

6. Retail therapy 

Ahh yes retail therapy. I think it’s the instant gratification that makes this one so rewarding. To prevent overspending or buyers remorse, carefully  consider your wants and needs.  Treat yo’ self but make it intentional, that is a form of self-care. 

7. Budgeting and Planning

Wait wait.. hear me out on this one. Are you a facts and figures type or avid list maker? Maybe instead of a spa day or retail therapy spreadsheets are more your speed. Take 30 minutes to budget and plan your week or month. Find creative ways to do this with templates, planning stickers, or other paper and writing supplies that get you excited about your self care day. 

8. Creating

however you choose, create. Tapping into this skill weekly is so rewarding. Especially if what you do for a living doesn’t allow the freedom of creativity. Whatever you choose to create, do it for at least least 30 minutes a week. Art comes in many forms and includes but certainly not limited to, drawing, knit, crochet, audio visual, writing, building, cooking, baking, decorating, podcasts, music production. Tapping into your talents can be rewarding and instantly self-gratifying. 

There are many ways to self-care but I hope these are some suggestions to help get you started today. xo