Theres more to self-care than face masks and binging The Office on a Friday night.
Taking care of yourself is an inside job, one thats going to feel uncomfortable sometimes.
More importantly, though, I need to create a life that heals and maintain it.
Thought Catalog
To do the latter isnt always enjoyable; it even sucks sometimes.
I have to do things that feel uncomfortable and awkward.
Ill put them off or make a run at avoid them until the last minute.
But these acts of self-care are necessary because even though theyre hard, theyre life-changing.
In the discomfort is where I find the most growth.
The next time you think about self-care, consider these acts as non-negotiables.
Hard or not, theyre necessary for life-changing growth.
Learning how to enjoy solitude.
Your answer to that question is telling.
Not everyone knows how to be alone.
Some people avoid it at all costs.
But being comfortable with yourself is key to maintaining happiness throughout your life.
Obstacles are inevitable; people will come and go.
But one thing thats constant is youll always have yourself.
So do yourself a favor and learn how to enjoy time alone.
If youve never been to therapy, the idea can be daunting.
Opening up to a stranger is a bit weird at first, but I promise it gets better.
There are certain things that a therapist provides that your friends and family cant.
Think years of learning human psychology and thousands of hours practicing working through peoples emotions and traumas.
Dumping that person you dont feel a connection with.
A toxic person in your life is very consuming, especially when theyre your romantic partner.
If youre trying to take care of yourself, their behavior could be holding you back.
Breaking up with someone is never easy, but you cant let that stop you from prioritizing your well-being.
Sometimes relationships run their course.
Not everything is meant to last forever; not everything that ends was a failure.
Cutting off toxic friendships.
Its interesting that we put up with a lot more from our friends than we do romantic partners.
Why is it that we hold our friends to lower standards?
No matter the length of the friendship, it’s crucial that you prioritize yourself.
Do so without guilt or shame; some friendships arent meant to last forever.
Regularly going to the doctor.
We only have one body in this life take care of it.
That ache in your lower back that you ignore isnt going to go away magically.
Go to the doctor regularly.
And if youre a female, c’mon see your gynecologist.
Self-care includes making sure youre healthy enough to enjoy the magic of life.
Creating boundaries with people closest to you.
When you love someone, its hard to draw lines on whats healthy behavior.
Let them know how their behaviors affect your mental health and your relationship with them.
Quitting a job that is making you miserable.
One-third of your lifeis spent working.
If you hate your job, thats a lot of time spent at a place that makes you miserable.
If your job doesnt respect you, is mind-numbingly boring, or feels meaningless to you, quit.
Make a plan to responsibly find a new job and leave your old one behind.
The ultimate form of self-care is creating a life you love every day, not just on the weekends.
Not apologizing for everything.
Stop saying sorry all the time.
If youre a victim of constant apologizing, this scenario will feel all too real.
Compassion and agreeability seem to be a common trait of people who apologize even when theyve done nothing wrong.
They want to honor other peoples feelings and preferences.
As a form of self-care, practice saying what you want without apologizing.
Asking for what you need.
If youre a people-pleaser like me, you struggle hard with this one.
But taking care of yourself means honoring what you need.
Chug down some good ol H2O.
Your skin will thank you.
Your digestive system will thank you.
Your mood will thank you.
Your body will overall thank you.
I know its hard to remember to drink water, but whatever you have to do, do it.
You dont function as well as you could if you havent drunk enough water.
Dehydration is a bitch.
Avoid her and drink more water.
Unfollowing people on social media that make you feel like crap.
Social media has become a form of masochism.
Thats because social media is rampant with influencers and perfectly curated feeds.
Its filled with highlight reels and good times.
Never the real, day-to-day struggles everyone goes through.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
The people in your feed that make you hate your life arent doing you any good.
Instead, opt for inspirational accounts.
Or be like me and follow golden retriever puppy accounts.
They never let you down in making you feel better.
Learning to say no.
Its funny that we dont say no to avoid letting someone down or creating conflict.
We take on tasks that we never wanted to do and create stress and discomfort for ourselves instead.
But not saying no puts others before yourself.
It can create a state of overwhelm and anxiety.
Before you realize it, youre putting other peoples needs before yours.
Practice self-care by saying no when you want to.
Then say no later.
Self-care can look like taking the day off to replenish, but it can also be so much deeper.
Taking care of yourself means putting yourself in uncomfortable positions that will benefit you in the long run.
Remember, you have one life to live.
