Yesterday I decided to give myself a 10 day self care challenge! The post is linked down below, but basically I am going to try to intentionally do nice things for myself all this week to remind myself of how important I am. It seems that this challenge is also starting to open up my eyes to some areas of growth that I may need, and also how I can be better at treating myself kinder!
I don’t know if this is just me, but often times I have a really hard time doing self care, not because I don’t want to or don’t like to, but because I have a specific idea in my head of what I “should be doing”. Yesterday when I challenged myself to 10 days of self care, I was SO beyond excited to have this day home to myself. I was excited to do laundry, paint my nails, read in a cafe, go for a walk etc. Today I woke up in the same mindset, with lots of energy and excitement, and got myself out the door to start my day! A big part of my self care today was practicing self compassion. It was 45 degrees with humidity outside, so I couldn’t walk as far, or read out in the sun even though I really wanted to, and I had to remind myself it is ok to stay in the air conditioning inside on this beautiful day. Within an hour of painting my nails, I had chipped ALL of them and I was so upset. A text to my wife reminded me not to cry over spilled milk (or chipped nails in this case!) as she said “I’m sorry babe, why don’t you go get your nails done at the salon beside our house”….. something so simple I never even thought about.
I enjoyed my beautiful sunny walk and a sweet butterfly pea latte, with a bonus of 25% of the cost getting donated to one of my favourite charitable organizations! I got to read and enjoy some music and just relax….. and yet my brain started doing it again! On my walk home I noticed the time and suddenly my brain was panicking; I kept thinking through my day, needing to get milk, needing to get my gym membership started, needing to walk to the pool and now needing to fix my nails. I am not exaggerating when I say it took me my entire 30 minute walk home to realize I don’t NEED to do any of this… this was all supposed to be for my enjoyment! I can always get a gym membership after work tomorrow, I can always skip the pool if I don’t want to go, and no one is forcing me to get my nails done!
Self care days are something that are so needed and it can be so important to slow down and recognize where your challenge with self care is (yes I’m talking to you, don’t lie I’m sure you’re just like the rest of us). I realized half way through the day that I put so much pressure on myself to take care of myself that I forget the purpose of the activities I choose to do! In the afternoon, I was once again able to turn my day around after now realizing this trend all day. I googled MANY MANY times if the pool near my house was open before I made the trek there. When I got there however, the water was drained and I was so disappointed. A sigh on the door said the pool closed September 3rd, but must have not been updated on the website. I caught myself sulking and almost giving up on the day, and then decided to start walking home for a different activity. On my way I passed a splash pad and decided I could turn my day around!
Did I feel upset? Yes of course, my plans were seemingly going wrong again… but I ended up reading by the splash pad and jumping through the water every once in a while and it was lovely! I feel like that was such a successful moment for me to be able to regulate and problem solve (look at me using Occupational therapy lingo on myself haha!) and it boosted my mood the rest of the day!
I also managed to make it to the nail salon that is right by my house and I’ve never been too and I got the most fun green manicure and had such a lovely conversation with my nail tech! I’m so excited to have found a spot I love so close (though I’m sure my bank account won’t be thrilled)!
I think overall this day was just such a perfect example of self care because it wasn’t all cutie bubble baths and relaxation all day; there were stresses and discomfort and frustration throughout the day. But through it all I was able to get myself to relax and prioritize nice things for myself, AND practice working through routine changes with peace! As an occupational therapist, I would have celebrated all of that with my clients so I’m trying to celebrate the same things with me!
How did your self care challenge go?
Ideas for tomorrow:
Tomorrow I’m heading to work for a half day to prep for our new day program schedule and to facilitate orientation for our placement students! It’s going to be a busy day so not the full self care day like today, but that’s reality! My plans for tomorrow are to do some creative prep before work at a coffee shop and enjoy a coffee without stress. I also suggested a hang out with my small coworker group after orientation to have some non work related bonding which I think will be nice immediately but also in the long run for our relationship at work! And perhaps before we head back up North I’ll get that gym membership started 🙂 but no pressure !
Each moment of self care should be for YOU and no one else đź©· no successes or productivity required, just being kind to yourself đź©·
Be Your Own Sunshine 