I was relatively lazy last semester, AKA the half year that came after college graduation. Aside from daily yoga (which I had regarded as more for my mental health than my physical), I didn’t go to the gym all that much.
And I think that’s okay, because I sort of needed it. While sure, it would feel much better physically now if I had been moving more… I think that my mind and body needed a break from the constant go go go of college, stress of the pandemic, and fear of the unknown future.
So, I forgive myself.
Inspired by the new year, my goals for self improvement and self care, and my desire to stay busy throughout the day… I put an end to my laziness.
I just know that whenever I am moving, I feel better. I have made some new totally bangin’ playlists, and even started bringing a book for when I do cardio. I’m doing daily morning yoga, lifting when it feels good, and cardio afterwards.
This time I am focusing more on how good it feels to move and get that boost of adrenaline. How good it feels to do the rest of my work/chores for the day after I move.
I am using the breath work (pranayama) from my yoga practice to fuel movement. For example, during bench press: inhaling big and bracing to prepare and bring the bar down, and exhaling the bar back up.
I am caring less about the daily PR or strict rules. The constant need to improve from last session gets exhausting and for me, always has an expiration date. It totally ruins my drive after a while.
Rather, my goal is to make movement more easeful and enjoyable. Remembering that it’s better for me to move a little, than to expect a lot and then let my worries overcome me and then not move at all.
Doing the extra set to challenge yourself and out of curiosity: can I do 8 more reps? Also knowing that it is perfectly fine (and not morally wrong) to skip a set if I’m totally miserable.
This time I am also supporting the movement with a healthy, protein and nutrient focused diet. Eating enough, but not to excess. Hydrating enough throughout the day (which has always been so difficult for me). Sleeping enough. Meditation and journaling.
Focusing on the enjoyment rather than perfection is something that I would like to apply to other aspects of my life as well. I guess in that aspect, life is like your exercise routine. If you’re not enjoying it, why do it??
Minimalism is not about having less. It’s about making room for more of what matters.
Unknown
I move in approximately 6 months from Williamsburg to Charlottesville … and I’m overwhelmed. I’m not nervous about meeting new friends, big career changes, or living with my boyfriend. Rather, it’s the thought of packing up all of my many belongings into boxes and moving them all into a tiny apartment.
Yeah, the apartment will likely be pretty small. But that’s just young adult life, especially when you’re both going into healthcare which means grad school AKA loooaaannssss.
To be honest, I don’t even think I own that much stuff, and I barely even shop — which is especially impressive since I literally work at a boutique.
However, the feeling I get when I try to visualize how many things I own is unmistakable. It just seems like it’s so much. And I think it’s not because I own x number of things, but rather because so many of them are just totally clutter. I believe the clutter is stressing me out more than I realize.
It’s also one of the Yamas in Yoga philosophy, Aparigraha, which means non-coveting. Aparigraha refers to the possession of only what is necessary and the letting go of everything else.
Tidying is the act of confronting yourself.
Marie Kondo
One of my goals for 2022 is to simplify my wardrobe and the rest of my belongings. To spend more time and money on experiences than material things. To not feel unorganized and cramped in our apartment. (So much room for activities!)
I’ll cut to the chase. I am once again attempting to Marie Kondo my life. This time however, it’s not during the summer with nothing else to do. I’m actually pretty busy working 3 jobs, taking classes, and working on applications.
So, I’m going to take it slow with small tasks. Maybe one per day, or more if I have time. For example, makeup and skincare, hanger clothes, or winter sweaters.
The things that I get rid of will be sold, donated, or tossed, depending on their state. I will try to document the process through pictures and numbers along the way, so… stay tuned.
Lately, there have been days where I feel fatigued and uninspired for seemingly no reason at all. It could be some random Wednesday and I have to go to work for 10 hours with no fun plans to look forward to except my bed. I was so confused as to why I was feeling so run down. In hind sight, I think that I lacked energy, motivation, routine, and healthy hobbies to keep me going.
Over the summer, I started to slowly introduce some habits into my daily routine. There was no overarching goal here, and certainly no plan. Rather, it kind of happened on accident. I knew that I didn’t feel my best self, but I didn’t know how to change it. So I started trying new hobbies. Adding more of the things I knew I liked, and subtracting what I didn’t. It all sounds so self-explanatory now, but sometimes you don’t realize what you needed until you have it.
I’ll list the new additions that I have made to my life so that maybe they’ll inspire you to add them to yours.
1. Eating clean
Relationships with food can be weird. I’ve had periods of my life where I did not eat enough and others where I ate a bit too much. I feel that now I have found a healthy, happy medium where I am meeting my health goals (shedding a few pounds) with the willpower to resist going overboard. I am also prioritizing cooking with my groceries and minimizing the restaurants and processed snacks. This brings me to my next healthy hobby.
2. Cooking
Personally, I love cooking. I grew up watching Food Network with my mom, so I think it was meant to be. I would consider myself nothing more than an amateur home cook, but nonetheless it makes me happy. Cooking alone is a form of meditation for me. I also recommend try cooking with someone you love (and maybe blasting some fun music while you do it).
3. A mindfulness practice
Meditation, yoga, and journaling are all wonderful ways of strengthening your introspection muscle. While some people avoid being alone with their thoughts, I find mine incredibly important and intriguing. I have become a much healthier and overall more peaceful person after learning to become comfortable with my mind space and gaining a mindfulness practice. At the very least, try to drop into the present moment at least a few times a day — it truly makes a difference.
4. Reading
I was never the biggest reader, but recently I have received a bunch of book recommendations from friends. I decided to start with one, and quickly realized how much I love it. Imagine something cozier than laying on your couch under a huge blanket with a cup of hot tea and some music playing while you read a novel. You can’t.
5. Yoga
I do yoga. (Obviously. I’m a yoga instructor.) I did, however, recently start to go to yoga classes more frequently than I had previously. I have also started to go to in-person classes at a studio again (for the first time since covid). Since adding a daily yoga practice to my morning routine, I have noticed a huge improvement in my efficiency, energy, and motivation throughout the day. I act with intention and I am more in control of my breathing. I am able to calm my thoughts when they become overwhelming. I am a better version of myself when I regularly engage in my yoga practice.
6. Hydration
I have never been great at this, but I’m trying to be. I have noticed recently that I feel generally much better when I hydrate sufficiently. Also, consider this a reminder to wash the water bottle that you consider like a child to you. He needs a bath.
7. Flowers/Plants
I was told once that “flowers only cost on average $5 per bundle. They give you so much joy, so why not spend $5 for a little joy?” I have bought flowers weekly since (or tried to). Putting flowers and/or plants around your house makes the place feel brighter and more lived-in. Water and sun them, and they’re essentially like pets. Go ahead and be a plant mom or dad, it’s only a little ridiculous.
8. Good music
Looking back, I am always happier when my life has a soundtrack to it. How boring would a movie be without any music in it?? I make playlists for every month, mood, and event. I put it on the speaker in my house while I’m doing chores. I listen to it in my car on the way to work. It makes the happy happier and the sad… more dramatic and beautifully tragic. You know what’s fun? Pretending you’re living in a montage sequence of a coming-of-age movie about your life.
9. Cleaning your life
I love keeping my house cleaned, cozy, and decorated. It makes relaxing and having friends so much better. Plus, it just makes me feel like my life is so put together.
10. Catching up with old friends
Corona is the worst. I have lost touch with so many people because of her. Catching up with old friends of mine from college, my hometown, and camp just makes my grinchy heart grow three sizes.
Becoming a yogi was a bit intimidating at first, because I had no friends who regularly went to yoga classes. I didn’t own a mat or any fancy yoga leggings. I didn’t know the names of any of the poses. In fact, I started going to yoga classes hosted by my college campus recreation center after I was dumped. To be completely self-aware, it was fully in an attempt to “recreate myself” and “become a new person.” It was also a new hobby that would take up some of my time.
Little did I know that yoga would actually shape me into a healthier, more intentional individual. My mental and physical health skyrocketed with regular yoga practice. Stepping into yoga alone allowed me to explore my individual abilities and shortcomings with minimal competition. Now, I am so grateful that I challenged myself to explore yoga, as I feel that it has made me an improved and healthier person.
Similarly, I believe that anyone can step into yoga and start working on the best version of themselves.
Are you interested in getting into yoga or becoming more involved in the practice, but don’t know quite where to start? I will share with you some of the advice and information that I wish I had gotten from someone before I started practicing.
What you will need
A mat. Choose one with enough friction/stickiness, otherwise your hands and feet will slip and slide during class. Also, make sure to choose a mat that is thick enough that your knees won’t hurt, but thin enough that you can still ground yourself into the mat. (I use the 5mm reversible mat from Lululemon.) Many studios also provide extra mats to borrow/rent if you prefer that option.
A water bottle. Choose one that is easy to quickly take sips from during class, like one with a straw. (I use a 24 oz Hydro Flask.)
Comfortable, form-fitting, and sweat-wicking athletic clothes. (I tend to opt for Lululemon and Nike.)
Bonus
A yoga block. These will likely be provided for you in class. However, if you prefer to practice at home, I would recommend buying a block to assist with many postures, especially as a beginner.
A bolster pillow. These will also likely be provided for you in class. They are extremely comfortable and great for use in gentle flow classes and yin yoga. Try placing it under your sit bones while sitting or under your knees while laying supine.
Straps. These are great for at-home yoga practice, to aid with improving your flexibility. While yoga is not necessarily about flexibility, this may be one of your asana goals. Make sure to read the manual and/or read online about the proper ways to use straps, otherwise you might injure yourself.
A sweat towel. These are typically provided for you by the studio. Whether you are in regular class or a hot one, you will sweat.
Advice
Go with a friend. As a beginner yogi, this may make the whole process less intimidating and more fun.
Or, go alone. This option might be more your vibe if you often compare yourself to others or you tend to be self conscious.
Try different yoga studios in your area. Each studio has its own community and charm. You might vibe really well with one studio, but not at all with a different one. Just make sure to keep an open mind, because you are likely to find at least one studio that you love.
Start with a more gentle class. Look on the studio schedule for classes that sound like “gentle flow” or “beginner.” With experience and as you become more confident in your abilities, you should advance to classes like “vinyasa flow” or “hot yoga.”
Be gentle with yourself and keep an open heart. If during your first classes you find yourself falling over and getting out of breath, don’t give up on yourself. (And certainly don’t become angry with yourself.) Everyone starts as a beginner, and you will improve with consistent practice. I promise.
Introduce yourself to the instructor (if you feel comfortable in doing so). They might be able to offer you some adjustments or encouraging words. They will also become one more familiar, friendly face when you arrive to class.
Typical Studio Courtesy
Arrive 5-10 minutes early to the studio. Check-in with the front desk staff or the instructor.
Set up your mat somewhere in the studio that makes you feel comfortable. Be mindful of others’ space.
Leave your phone outside of the studio. Turn off the sound and any alarms you may have set.
Only bring your mat, water bottle, and any yoga props into the studio. Leave your other belongings in the studio cubbies or your car.
Be barefoot! Definitely in the studio, maybe also throughout the whole building. Do not practice in socks or shoes. (This is a safety thing in addition to a politeness thing.)
Thank your instructor after class! They work hard to make sure you are having an enjoyable, safe class.
I hope that this advice helps at least one person gain the confidence to step into their yoga practice. If you have any questions at all, feel free to leave a comment or find me on social media. Have fun, yogis, and namaste!
Disclaimer: It’s going to be very hard to write this blog post without completely sounding like a ~wannabe travel blogger~. Proceed with caution.
Greetings from a very jetlagged girl, typing from her laptop with a facemask on (in an attempt to reverse the effects of a very dehydrating 8-hour flight) at an ungodly hour of the morning.
I had hoped to publish a few updates on my trip to London while I was actually there. This became next-to-impossible when I was hit with an intense course load and crazy levels of exhaustion — due to constant exploring and SO much walking.
While I could easily just tell you all of the things I did in London, you can find all of that on my social media. (You can find my links on the side menu!) So instead, I want to focus on the 10 ways I feel that studying abroad in London has made me a better person — and why you should totally do it too!
1. I mastered the concept of work hard, play hard.
There are two parts to studying abroad: studying and being abroad. (Duh.) Sure, the concept is simple — but it can quickly become overwhelming when your friends are going to a museum and you have to write a research paper that’s due tomorrow.
In order to maximize my sight-seeing of the city, I did all the touristy things (museums, bus tours, aimless walks around the city) towards the beginning of my trip. That way, I would be able to focus on just my course as it got closer to due dates and the final exam.
Now, I am left with absolutely no regret! Not only did I get a great mark in the module I took and learned a lot, I felt like I saw as much of London as I could possibly squeeze into 3 weeks.
2. I learned how to make the most of every day.
Each day, I woke up early and went to bed late. You know, to maximize the hours I had to spend in London. (I now realize that this may not have been the most healthy decision, but I don’t regret it.)
I also signed up for all the day trips and social programmes offered by both the AIFS program and the UCL summer school itself. This allowed me to see parts of the UK that I might not have thought to visit myself — and do things I wouldn’t have thought to do!
Plus, I took an absurd amount of pictures. Pictures of the buildings, every single meal I ate, even my outfits if they were cute enough. After all, did you really study abroad if you didn’t post about it 11 times on Instagram??? (Sorry, followers.)
3. I made a group of life-long friends from around the world.
When studying abroad, you are undoubtedly going to be surrounded by a bunch of other students in the same exact situation as you. Everyone is lost, came alone, and desperately wants to see the city with a group of friends. This is the perfect recipe for the creation of a bomb-af travel squad to hit up every time you want to explore.
4. I became resourceful, frugal, and more independent.
It’s easy to spend all your money on souvenirs and food when you’re in a new country for the first time. That’s why I had to develop an incredible amount of self control to make sure I didn’t go broke within the first week. Shockingly, I made the (quite stingy) meal stipend last almost the entire trip AND only went through half of my budget! That’s #growth.
Living in a city, it’s also important to know how to get around by yourself. Over the course of the 3 weeks I was there, taking the tube became second nature and I knew my way around my neighborhood. As a directionally-impaired, Google Maps-dependent girl, this was a great feeling.
5. I was exposed to British culture/cuisine and learned to adapt to their way of life.
Prior to studying abroad, I had never left the States. So, it was wonderful to experience everything that the United Kingdom had to offer. The food, the history, the night life, the ACCENTS — I will never forget any of it.
Plus, I’ve definitely adopted some of the British lingo. For example, the word “lift” is objectively better than “elevator,” sorry I don’t make the rules.
6. I learned how to stay active when limited to a dorm room.
For the first week in London, I pretty much gave up on any hope of exercising. Memberships for any gyms in the area were £80 or more — plus it seemed like there was no time!
Don’t get me wrong, you do SO much walking in London. Sometimes I hit 20,000 steps in one day. But as a girl who’s normally very active I felt the need to do more. So, I looked up workout videos on Youtube and made it work.
Here’s a helpful note to my future self: Youtube exists. Use it.
7. I began to love dressing up just for the fun of it.
London is one of the major fashion capitals in the world — and they show it. On my daily commute to class, I constantly compared my (mandatory) modest, drab hospital-appropriate outfit to those of seemingly every single working Londoner.
Now that I’m home and I don’t have to wear hospital clothes every day, I am making the most of it. I am wearing dresses, jumpsuits, bright prints, you name it. I love to dress up for me, myself, and I because it makes me feel confident and happy.
8. I learned how to live next-to-minimalistic.
When packing for a short trip abroad, you really have to minimize the number and size of items you bring. This taught me how to mix and match outfits with the same few articles of clothing — something I should apply to my wardrobe back home!
If you want to know how I packed so little as a girl with so much, check out my post about it here!
9. I learned the importance of sleep.
Like I said earlier, I didn’t sleep much while I was in London. While I don’t regret having the whole day to explore, it definitely took a toll on my daily energy levels. With all the walking and overstimulation of the city, I was constantly dragging.
Now I know that sleep should be prioritized, even when you have FOMO and would rather be pub crawling with your friends. *sigh*
10. I have a whole new appreciation for life at home.
Even though I loved every last moment of my study abroad trip in London, I will admit that I felt a bit homesick at times!
I missed my family, friends, and dogs. I missed the comfort of my own house and homecooked meals. I missed my shower’s water pressure, having a full closet of clothes, and access to my wide array of skin care products. Now that I am home, I won’t take any of it for granted.
That said, I can’t wait to go back to London! I have absolutely been bitten by the travel bug, so I have every intention of spontaneously buying a plane ticket and traveling just for the fun of it. I’ll update you guys when I make it happen.
There will be points in our lives when our inner strength is challenged and our self-worth is questioned. In these difficult times, it can be easy to slip into an unhealthy mindset.
We give into some pretty awful feelings, such as doubt, insecurity, and hopelessness. These feelings can blind you and cloud your judgement when making important decisions. They’re also really difficult to make disappear.
We ask ourselves: Am I strong enough to handle this? Am I even worth the happiness it will bring me if I succeed?
These kinds of thoughts are the thoughts of a person questioning their self-worth. Such a mindset can be very difficult to recover from, but it’s not impossible. In fact, recovering from such a terrible mindset is one of the most rewarding things a person can do.
I have been going through my own trials lately, causing me to question my own worth and self-efficacy. I am writing this post in the midst of my trials with the hope that I will find my own clarity and peace — and that perhaps others will benefit as well.
You are enough. You are so enough. It’s unbelievable how enough you are.
Sierra Boggess
Ground yourself.
Take a moment to breathe.
Take stock of your environment. Where are you? What time is it? What is it like outside? Are there other people around? (If you’re feeling anxious, you might want to move somewhere more private.)
Notice your body. Acknowledge any tension in your body and let it go. Are you breathing heavily? Slow it down. Are you sitting uncomfortably? Shift until you feel better.
Remember your achievements.
Make sure that you are in a better, more peaceful state of mind before you begin to introspect. If you are calm, your introspections will be more objective, rational, and realistic. If you are still feeling uneasy, your thoughts can spiral and lead to more self-doubt.
Now that you are aware of your present self, you can begin to think about what got you to this place. What have you accomplished today? Start small. If all you did was make your bed and get a coffee, that’s okay. Be proud of yourself for organizing your living space and providing your body with energy to start your day.
Now think, what have you accomplished this week? Have you gotten some work done? Have you spent time with friends and family? These are all improvements in your life that you should notice and be proud of.
Think back even further: What have you accomplished this month/year? Have you set any goals for yourself? Have you made progress in these goals? If you have, that’s seriously amazing. If you haven’t, that’s still okay because you’re still in the middle of a journey towards self-improvement and self-discovery and that is worth a celebration.
Finally, think about all of the things you have achieved in your entire life. I bet that if you really think about it, you can find a lot. You have achieved a lot more than you give yourself credit for, because you probably don’t think about your accomplishments and awards on a daily basis.
Acknowledge and appreciate your strengths.
Think about the personality traits and consistent behaviors of yours that have allowed you to accomplish your goals throughout your life.
Are you a hard worker?
Do you care about social issues?
Are you determined and passionate?
Are you disciplined and focused?
Do you have firm values and beliefs?
Are you open to criticism?
Are you motivated by self-improvement?
Think about the traits and behaviors that promote healthy relationships in your life.
Are you empathetic?
Do you listen to your friends when they need to vent?
Do you make time for your friends and family?
Are you forgiving?
Do you let your loved ones know just how much you appreciate them?
Are you kind to strangers?
Do you give good advice?
Think about your talents and abilities that set you apart from the crowd.
Are you artistically talented? Can you paint, play an instrument, or act?
Can you cook or bake?
Can you speak multiple languages?
Are you really good at a certain subject in school?
Are you athletic or good at sports?
Are you a talented writer or a photographer?
Do you have a really cool and unique style?
Count your blessings.
What are you thankful for? Who or what in your life brings you the most joy? Remember that although most of the joy in your life should come from within, it doesn’t always have to. There are so many other wonderful things out there (friends, passions, hobbies, nature, music, etc.) that can help you to think more positively about yourself and your life.
I can guarantee you that whatever made you question your self-worth is not the only thing that matters in your life. So in the meantime, try to focus on the positive aspects of your life. You can address the negative parts once you are confident of your worth and competence again.
Remember how much of a blessing it is to be alive in the first place. So many fight for their lives every day. Make the most of it while you still can.
Once you know your self-worth
It can take a while to effectively rebuild your confidence and rediscover your self-worth. It’s a process and it will likely take time to heal your wounds. It may be difficult and painful at times, but don’t give up — you will be so glad that you did it.
Now that you are more confident in your worth and value in this world, don’t ever let it go. Every time you question it again, you have these tools that you can pull out as a reminder that you are enough. Hopefully, it won’t tear you down as much as it did last time.
Let out any stress you might have accumulated during the process of forgetting your worth and rebuilding your confidence. It was probably very time-consuming and emotionally exhausting.
Finally, think about what you want to change about your situation and break it down into smaller, achievable goals. Whatever situation forced you to feel unwanted, unloved, or unworthy is most likely something that you can change or leave if you feel necessary.
When you’re ready, fix that thing and get ready to feel worthy again.
My Self-Worth
As I mentioned before, my inspiration to write this post was because I have lately been questioning my own self-worth. It’s a strange and uncommon feeling for me, because I have always been confident in my self-efficacy and overall value. However, anyone can experience self-doubt in the right conditions.
Every day, I try to remind myself of my self-worth with specific examples. I have learned and accomplished a lot, grown and improved myself, and made so many wonderful memories in my almost-20 years.
I performed solo violin at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. I won Virginia State Science Awards in high school. I’ve been on Dean’s List every semester in college. I’ve performed professional ballet and musical theatre in Washington, DC my whole life. I am outgoing, witty, and disciplined. I have passion, intelligence, and I work extremely hard at everything I set my mind to.
The thing that I believe I am the most proud of, however, is the love I give to my friends and family. Although I may not be always be the perfect friend, daughter, sister, or girlfriend, I try my very best. I try to remind everyone in my life how much they mean to me and how grateful I am for everything that they do. Loving others gives me more joy and pride than anything else in the world.
As much as I know and believe all these things, I still sometimes feel unwanted and unloved. I try to make myself better for someone else when the reality is I only need to stop looking at my reflection through someone else’s eyes. A person’s self-worth is not dependent on another person’s words or actions.
I will not allow myself to not feel chosen every single day. And I’ll wait until whenever that is.
Hannah B. (The Bachelor, 2019)
My Message to You
You’ll be okay. Soon enough, you’ll be stronger than you’ve ever been before. One day I’m sure that you’ll look back on today and thank yourself for not giving up.
You are growing in so many aspects of your life, each and every day. Each time you attend a class or study on your own, you grow mentally. Each time you go on a walk or exercise at the gym, you grow physically. Each time you call a family member or grab lunch with a friend, you grow emotionally. This slow yet consistent growth is transforming you into a better person every single day.
So who are you to tell yourself that you’re not worth the happiness you crave? You are stronger than you think. You have made it to this point, haven’t you? I bet there were there so many times in the past where you thought you couldn’t make it through the day, but you eventually did.
If you did it once, you can certainly make it through again. Just by being true to yourself, holding onto your values, and striving for your goals, you deserve all the happiness in the world.
You deserve success in your passions and academics. You deserve supportive and loving relationships. You deserve happiness and peace of mind in everything that you put your mind to. You are worth all of the love in the world.
My best girl friends have recently given me the generous title of “Self Care Queen.” Every day I text them about the things I’ve done that day to take care of, or improve, myself. For example, I’ll text them a picture of a painting I just did, just because I thought it’d be fun. Almost every night I’ll snapchat them a picture of me in a face mask and lotion all over my body — a gift to my physical appearance. I’ll show them the delicious and healthy meals I cooked for myself. Although these things all seem so insignificant, they truly add up throughout the day to make me a happier person.
My love for self care likely stems from my lifelong need for perfection and overall overachieving nature. Ever since I was a kid, I have always strived my hardest to be perfect. While in reality “perfect” can never be attained, I still tried. It seems like no matter what I do, there will always be more to work on. Over the years, I’ve learned to find a balance between working hard and giving myself a chance to relax. This is what allowed me to finally reach my full self care potential — even to the point of helping my friends reach theirs.
I’ve taken my title as the Queen very seriously and I absolutely love helping others in their own journeys. Someone jokingly called me an “influencer” the other day (in response to my workout log) and I was seriously honored to have made a positive impact in her life. This is why I’ve decided to share my thoughts and advice on the art of mental and physical self care.
you can’t pour from an empty cup. take care of yourself first.
unknown
Sometimes, self care manifests itself as restricting high calorie foods in order to lose weight and feel more confident in your skin. Sometimes it is going to the gym for two hours because you sat at your desk all day and need to stretch your legs. Self care can even be forcing yourself to stay up late and read your textbook because it means you’ll be better prepared for tomorrow’s lecture. I like to think of this as one type of self care: self-improvement.
Other times, self care can be eating a bag of hot cheetos because you’ve been craving them all day. It can be isolating yourself for a whole day because you’re sad and need to be alone with your thoughts. It’s watching an entire season of Netflix instead of doing your work because you worked hard today and deserve a break. I like to think of this as another type of self care: relaxation.
Both self-improvement and relaxation are completely valid forms of self care — and both are crucial for living a fulfilling and healthy life. In order to master the art of self care, first find some activities that soothe your soul… and others that challenge it.
How to: Self-Improvement
Everyone has things to work on, even the people we think are perfect. For example, there are always exams to study for, weight to lose, pimples to get rid of, and spaces to organize. Doing all of these things would make my life much more enjoyable. Making a to-do list helps me the most when it comes to self-improvement, because it allows me to tackle one thing at a time and feel super accomplished when it’s done. Find a list of things you want to improve about your life and get started! Here are some ideas:
organize Google Calendar and agenda
write feelings down in a journal
stretch
run on the treadmill
do some ab exercises from home
eat healthy meals
drink water infused with fruits
drink tea to increase metabolism
get ahead in class reading and homework
go for a walk, get some fresh air
set aside some money in a savings account
organize room
wipe off dusty surfaces
do laundry
fold clothes
meditate
keep a gratitude journal
get an early night’s sleep
wake up earlier
apply for a campus job
meal prep
How to: Relaxation
It is crucial to allow both mind and body to relax after an exhausting day of work or school. Without this recuperation, we would all be zombies just mindlessly moving from chore to chore. Allow yourself to veg out and have some me-time at least once a day. No lists, no alarms, no responsibilities. Just do what you need to do to relax. Here’s what I do:
cook a meal
put on a cute outfit
paint fingernails
light a candle
drink a cold glass of water
put on a face mask
make a cup of hot coffee
FaceTime parents
put on an oversized sweatshirt
shop online
make a Spotify playlist
watch trashy reality show
catch up with an old friend
do a skincare routine
cuddle up in a fuzzy blanket
paint
play ukulele
watch throwback Disney movies
take a long bubble bath
play Mario Kart with friends
read a book
bake some cookies
have a dance party
have a photoshoot with friends
The key to a healthy and flourishing life is to have a balance of these two types of self care. First, work on hard on yourself. Make a list of goals and commit to them. Become the person you want to be. After all, nothing changes if nothing changes. Then, once you’ve been productive all day, don’t be. Rest up and treat yourself so that you can start fresh again in the morning.
However the act of caring for yourself manifests in your life (whether you decide to use my ideas or not), always remember to fill your cup before you pour it out for others. You will end your nights feeling accomplished and start your mornings rejuvenated. It’s a wonderful way to live.
the moore the merrier 