Self Care Tips, Anyone?
These are some crazy times my friend! I wanted to share a couple of my favorite “Self Care” steps that help get me through. Whether it’s a rough season of life or just a weird day these always help me, every time!
So here we go!
1. Show Up
Get out of bed, get dressed in your favorite outfit, put on your makeup, run a brush through your hair, and show up (they say showing up is half the battle after all)! The phrase “fake it ‘til you make it” comes to mind, and it’s true! Even if you have to fake yourself, it’ll work to move you forward and get you going. Sometimes this is the hardest hurdle to jump but once you do you can find your stride and start crushing it!
““Eighty percent of success is showing up” - Woody Allen”
2. A Good Playlist
Music is shown to reduce anxiety, slow a rapid heart rate and lower your blood pressure! It’s actually GOOD for your body! Right now I’ve been listening to a lot of Christian music (I love Hillsong, Lauren Daigle, Casting Crowns) but listen to whatever brings you back to life. If you’re hurting or going through something tough I’d recommend adding “You say” by Lauren Daigle, or “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns.
Warning; a sad, emo playlist won’t help! Trust me. I’ve fallen in that trap and it’s hard to get out of.
3. Get Outside
Go for a walk and soak up some Vitamin D from the sun! It’s one of the best things you could put on your body when you’re in a funk! Thankfully my happy place is my chicken yard and the weather’s been nice so I’ve been sitting outside, on the ground, with all my chickens around me and it’s SO good for my soul.
4: Positive Self Talk
I cant emphasize this one enough friend. Please don’t beat yourself up! Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself grace. I find that I can tell those I love this and mean it but I have a much harder time extending that same grace to myself. We are truly our worst critics aren’t we?! That being said, I’m trying this thing where I talk to myself like I’m my very best friend. The kind of friend who’s in my corner rooting for me and loves me. Its been a nice change.
5. Community
We are made to be with other people. I don’t care if you’re a extravert or an introvert. An enneagram 6, 2 or 9, you NEED community and people who love you and are rooting for you! Go out to coffee with a friend, call someone or go to a bible study! If you’re a mom with young kids MOPS at your local church is life changing (trust me!). Maybe go help your neighbor with a project or visit your grandma. The key here is being with people who love you and lift you up. I know safe people can be hard to find so if you need to talk without being bombarded with advice then please (seriously) DM me @still_roost or shoot me an email stillroost@gmail.com. I wont give you advice or tell you what I think you should do, I’ll just listen!
We all need people we can share our struggles with without feeling judged, shamed, or being told what we “should” do.
That’s it!
This past year has been a tough one and I have done the unhealthy hermit dance of staying home in my jammies listening to sad songs and crying. Lets just say it didn’t get me anywhere I wanted to be.
Then I did this!! I showed up, cranked the positive tunes, did something that made my soul feel at peace, and lived life surrounded by people who loved me. And let me just say, that way is WAY better!