Selfcare seems to be a buzz word of note, especially since the tragic year of 2020. We all realised we could use a bit more selfcare in our lives. We realised what is truly important, what we actually want from life and most importantly, how important human connection is.
It feels ridiculous to say happy new year friends because it feels like it’s 2020. v.02. While the world is still a scary place, one thing we can work on is our internal world.
If you Google “how to practice selfcare” you will find a million articles and Ted Talks. In fact, you do not need to Google, because you will find some many people throwing selfcare around loosely when they refer to skincare, bubble baths or bath bombs.
It has become a trend that South Africa recently picked up on in it’s usual late fashion. So, before I digress too much, I thought I would share some factual information about selfcare and you will also be able to download my toolkit for free.
What is selfcare? I have written all about this previously; you can read that here. Basically, it is “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness in particular periods of stress.” It is important to prevent burnout, manage stress and focus on what is important. It can take less than 10 minutes and shouldn’t require you to spend money.
The way I practice selfcare is completely different to what could work for you. It will rarely ever be the same for two people. That is why I developed this toolkit so you can work towards building selfcare activities into your routine, the way that is best for you.
Please download this selfcare toolkit so you can get started. First you need to think about why selfcare is important to you. Then, you should fill our your favourite physical selfcare activities; this could be working out, going for a walk in nature (my personal favourite) or creating a nutritious meal.
Mental selfcare could be reading or getting an early night in. It could be meditating, practicing yoga or listening to calm and soothing music. Think about what works best for you and fill it in the kit.
For emotional selfcare, this could mean journaling, sitting with your feelings or speaking to your friends. Think about what helps you maintain good emotional selfcare. The last segment is social selfcare. You could love video calls or voice notes with friends or perhaps you like spoiling them with little surprise gifts. Whatever social connection you enjoy best, jot that down. This could also mean giving back to others.
Now you have your best selfcare activities for every realm of your life. I like to keep this at my table and plan out my day with one or two actitives. If I have more time, I will do three. This could be meditating, working out and making myself a healthy meal.
When you feel like you are a little drained, you can pick your favourite selfcare activity that would work in that moment to bring you more energy and “fill up your cup”.
I try to practice at least one of the above activities every day. It is more than a task or activity, it’s a way a life. When life gets really tough, I ask myself if I have been making enough time for selfcare and if I haven’t then I know that’s why life feel especially tough. The more you fill up your cup, the more you are able to help fill others cup.
Please fill out your email address to receive the toolkit in your inbox. It is a PDF that you can fill in and use digitally or print.
Lots of love.
xx Miss Dhanusha
