Self Care Part 2 - What does it look like?

A bath bomb might not change your whole life, but it might change your mood.

But aside from that ... let's think about this. What exactly IS self care? Is it bath bombs and candles and relaxing music? Maybe! Is it a 6:30AM run with your puppy around the block? Could be! Is it your favourite podcast on your daily commute? Yup.

I've never been a fan of cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all solutions to problems. And let's be honest, for moms, making time for ourselves and making ourselves a priority - is a problem. Becuase by the time we realize we need it, it's crept up on us. But this is still okay - because all that matters is that we TRY, right?

For you, self-care could be a relaxing hotter-than-scalding bubble bath (that's one I personally like!) but it can look like other things too. Basically, i think that it's ANYTHING that makes you take a minute to do something you love to do, for yourself.

Let's look at some other great ways to get some self-care time in.

Exercise: Engaging in physical activities that you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, yoga, or dancing. I'll admit. This is my least favourite, but I do try to get in at least half an hour or more of good yoga and stretching in, in the mornings. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't.

Meditation and Mindfulness: Practicing techniques to calm your mind and be present in the moment. My favourite way to do this is with guided meditations. I find that my mind wanders too much if I'm left in the silence. An easy way to drown out all the background noise is to listen to prompts through guided meditations.

Reading: Escaping into a good book or engaging with informative materials. This is my favourite. I particularly like to read all kinds of genres like true crime, mysteries, psychological thrillers, and some fantasy. I also really enjoy audio books as they allow me to listen and imagine, while I accomplish other tasks.

Healthy Eating: Nourishing your body with nutritious and balanced meals. It's important to remember that what we put in our bodies and on our bodies matters. Sometimes we just need a good old chocolate cake right? Or a big bowl of creamy soup? For me it's the ritual of preparing the meal also. I'm a huge fan of tasty delicious food and slow-roasting anything is bound to fall on my comfort food list. But hey, we probably shouldn't eat chocolate cake every day, all day, every time.

Socializing: Spending time with friends and loved ones who uplift and support you. As an introvert I'll admit that this one doesn't come easy for me, but I do recognize the importance of leaning on my friends so thank you to those who've been my shoulders when I needed it.

Hobbies: Pursuing creative or leisure activities you're passionate about.This can be anything! Picking up a new hobby, finishing an old hobby, watching videos on other people's hobbies! (I actually really enjoy cake decorating videos).

Nature Walks: Spending time outdoors, connecting with nature and getting fresh air. Sometimes all I need is bare feet and the earth as I walk around even just the yard. Lay down in the grass. Watch the sky. Smell the forest. Listen to the birds.

Journaling: Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and goals to gain clarity and self-awareness. Or heck, just write it down to get it down and out of your head and your space. That's okay too. (Journalling is probably my favourite but the way I do it now has changed from when I was 9. I don't have an actual diary anymore and I write notes on my computer, on my phone, in my email - various disorganized places, but it still makes me feel better.)

Art and Creativity: Engaging in artistic pursuits like painting, crafting, or playing a musical instrument. Or even starting a whole new creative thing you've never done before! I went through a painting phase, though I myself am not really a painter! But I did enjoy it either way.

Listening to Music or Podcasts: Enjoying entertainment that brings you joy or knowledge. I listen to A LOT of podcasts these days, and I look forward to Modday's when Crime Junkie Drops, which is one of my favourite true crime podcasts that I subscribe to.

Decluttering: Organizing your living space to create a calming environment. Ever look in your junk drawer and think, "Yup, that's what my brain feels like right now." Yeah? Me too. So instead of avoiding that clutter for much longer, get on it, get it out, and get looking at your clear, clean, calming space.

Volunteering: Helping others and contributing to your community. This is a great way to get out and see the difference that you can create for other people's lives and experiences. Some people really thrive off of service to others and guaranteed there's an organization in your community which can benefit from you and your stellar ideas.

Digital Detox: Taking a break from screens and technology to rest your mind. Do it. Shut if off. Throw it on airplane mode. Stick it in your drawer. Walk away, and let it be.

Spa Time: Taking relaxing baths, using face masks, or pampering yourself with skincare routines at home, is a great way to take care of yourself, even if you are on a budget. I've been a long time practitioner of at-home spa nights, and this is something that everyone can do affordably from home. (YES! Some amazing recipes will be coming soon and I'm so excited to share them with you!).

Remember, self-care is personal and can vary for each individual. It's about finding activities that rejuvenate and recharge you as a person. There is no right or wrong way to do anything that brings you peace and resets your soul. What we're going to look at next week is some good at home spa things you can be doing on your own for very little, or no money.

So, like I said. A bath bomb might not change your whole life, but it might change your mood. And even if it only changes it for one night, that one night can make a difference in the days that follow.