Some Serious Self-Care

There was a time a few years ago when you couldn’t pick up your phone or go out the door (like, we literally couldn’t go out sometimes) or turn on the TV without hearing about self-care. Self-care was the solution to the incredible uncertainty of the pandemic. Many of us were, for the first time, simultaneously faced with a barrage of anxiety-inducing events and traumatic news at every turn while also having an abundance of free time. We applied face masks, did puzzles, took baths, tried at-home dance classes, learned to cook, cried a lot. It was therapeutic. It was completely necessary. And, I should clarify, it was also a privilege that wasn’t afforded to everyone.

So, what happened?

The focus has now shifted to self-preservation—forget about care. The buzzword is “burnout” and it feels like everyone I know is overwhelmed beyond belief. I, for example, have managed to run myself so far into the ground with work and [gestures broadly at the state of the world] that I recently walked nose-first into a glass door because I was so exhausted and sleep-deprived that my brain was a full step behind. The universe actually hit me in the face to remind me that this never-ending game of catch-up and endless to-do list isn’t sustainable. And, without returning to some sort of self-care routine, I was going to collapse under it all.

I’m getting back on the self-care train as best I can and bringing you along for the ride if you’d like. Here are my tips to look after yourself a bit better. They’re not guaranteed (I’m definitely no self-care guru), but I hope it’s a start.

Schedule downtime.

It may seem silly to put in your calendar a block of however much time you can muster for doing absolutely nothing, but I’ve (unfortunately) found it necessary. Creating purposeful downtime in my schedule not only gives me something to look forward to, but having it blocked off keeps me from scheduling over the top of it. A friend of mine blocks off every Monday night. I try to take a few hours every couple days. What do you do with this time, you ask? Whatever it is that you need so long as it isn’t a chore, a job, or an errand…unless errands bring you joy, which they do for me.

Get outside.

Walk around the block. Escape to the woods for the weekend. Swim in whatever body of water is closest to you. Go outside. More importantly, be outside. Check in with Mother Nature instead of your newsfeed. Breathe in the fresh air and get grounded. At the very least, take some time to water your houseplants.

Talk about it.

Chances are, you aren’t the only one living at your max. Talk to your friends, family, a therapist, the Trader Joe’s check-out guy…whoever…but just be honest and open about how you’re getting by. If work is just too much, talk to your boss or coworkers about how much you can handle. For example, I was supposed to write this post like two weeks ago but life has been a lot, and my team has been incredibly understanding.

Treats.

I can’t stress this enough. Treats! Treats! Treats! Reward yourself. Soothe yourself. Give yourself a bright spot of something. This is meant to be a very broad category. A treat can look like five minutes where you lay down and listen to your favorite song. It can look like a Frappuccino, happy hour with a friend, a really good stretch, or a vacation (luxurious!). It can also look like some of the amazing things available on Buy Replica Chanel Jewelry below.

Hoping you find some time for you. Hoping the next email doesn’t find you for a while. Hoping any of this was helpful.