Self care. There has been so much hype around this phrase lately, and I’m here to tell you that it is anything BUT a trend. In an insanely busy world where the hustle and bustle is praised and being busy indicates your worth to society, it is more important than ever to practice some self care.
One of my favorite ways to practice self care is by designating an entire day to YOU. That’s right….. no work, just things that you love and enjoy. Keep on reading to read my top tips to creating the best “Self-Care Day”.
There is something so therapeutic about practicing self-care. I’m challenging you to spend an ENTIRE day practicing self care this week. Now, all my Busy-Bodies probably just took a sharp breath in and think I’m crazy. You, YES YOU, can do this. Trust me.
I am a recovering Busy Body myself. In my family, if you aren’t constantly stressed, working on something, or running around, then you are not successful and are lazy. I know this sounds extreme, but it couldn’t be more true. I have the hardest time relaxing. Even when watching Netflix, I am thinking, ‘I should be doing something more productive….like writing a blog post, choreographing that dance, creating that for my dance class, recording this, editing that..’ the list goes on. I have the hardest time hitting the OFF switch and just relaxing. I wake up in the morning and instantly think of my to-do list.
I don’t think I’m alone in this. I think a lot of us out there struggle with the feeling of always needing to be “busy”; our society worships it! The popular saying that Beyonce has the same 24 hours in a day as you and look at her! She does so much…you should too! While that phrase has good intentions, what is it teaching us? To glorify being busy.
So, with all that being sad, I’m challenge myself and YOU to spend an entire day (at least once a month…but try for once a week?!) dedicated to you. No work, no stress, just do things you love. Here are some of my best ways to recenter yourself and practice that self-care.
Practicing Self-Care…the good way
1. Bible Time
The number one thing to do during your self-care day is to read the Bible. For some, that might sound like more “work”, but starting your day off on the right track truly does WONDERS for your soul. Now remember, you are not rushing through this. There is no where you have to be and your checklist is staying at work.
Grab a journal, pen, and your Bible and go somewhere quiet and without distraction. Try to read for about 20 minutes or so and really connect with what you are reading. Write down your thoughts, some quick notes, and try to connect the passage with your life. At the end, write down something you learned from the passage and how you can apply that into your daily routine. This will help center your day (and week!) on the most important thing; Jesus…not yourself.
2. Grab your fave drink….
Okay, by this I mean coffee, tea, or a smoothie! HA! Something you may not normally get yourself during the work week. I love coffee, I think we all know that. So, for my self-care day, I would go to a fun boutique coffee shop and get a yummy latte! Or, maybe I would go to Starbucks and get something crazy…like a venti! HA! This small gesture makes you feel like you are WORTH IT and is a fun way to #treatyoself and get your day off on the right start. You can also sip on this throughout your fun YOU day!
3. Go shop around with no intentions
This might sound like Budgeting Crisis 101, but for the busy-bee, this can be so therapeutic and relaxing. I love to take my coffee (point #2) and drive to a big mall. I’ll just walk around, window shop, try on clothes, with absolutely no intention of searching for a new dress, pair of shorts, hair accessory, you get the picture.
Sometimes, shopping can feel like yet another chore. You just HAVE to go to the mall because you need a new pair of work shoes. You search all the stores to find nothing good, so you leave exhausted and frustrated. In this situation, shopping didn’t heal any problems, it just caused more.
For your Self-Care day, go shopping in search of nothing. Just enjoy spending time with yourself. If you find something you absolutely love (and can afford), then get it! But this way, if you find nothing, it’s not a waste.
4. Go get your nails done
Honest moment: I used to actually hate getting my nails done. Like, loathe the process. I always thought that it was super high-maintenance and that I was more than capable of painting my own nails. WHICH, is still true. Getting your nails done is a luxury in life and I am very skilled at paining a color on my nails…even with my left (non-dominate) hand! BUT, there is something so nice about a fresh mani.
Go ahead, pamper yourself. You don’t need to splurge on the most expensive service, unless you want to. You are just investing a little in yourself because guess what, you are worth it.
** BONUS: the manicures last way longer than when you do one at home…. crazy good game changer.
5. Do an activity…solo!
For some, the idea of going somewhere solo is the scariest thing ever. Won’t people think I’m weird if I eat by myself? Honestly, no one even notices haha.
Doing something by yourself will give you the time to just be….you. If you are afraid of being alone with yourself, we have some heart issues to hash out. Whether that is going to see a movie, coffee shop, get lunch, massage, etc., this can be the perfect way to spend your self-care day!
6. Treat yo’ self!
Treat yourself to something! This can be a new lipstick, new pencil set, a journal, new shirt, or some fresh flowers! You are WORTH it!
7. Sleep
If all else fails, if none of these activities sound like your cup of tea….sleep! Maybe not the whole day because that might cause some sadness and boredom, but if you work crazy hours during the week and just need to unwind, sleep!
