Have You Self-Cared Today?
It wasn't until college that I truly took care of myself and learned the aspects that go into self-caring.
With 3 weeks of summer session down, I've been reflecting on my thoughts and feelings. It's the half way point till I can completely enjoy summer. But in the past weeks I've learned to balance between fun, academics, and work.
Taking summer courses has been stressful for me - with week the previous week being quite difficult to conquer. I've come to terms with the fact I have been putting self-care on delay due to my busy schedule and deadlines. I kept telling myself that I need time time away from my responsibilities, but never got into the groove in doing so. I am gradually trying to learn how to incorporate little things that can better my mentality in between studying and exams, whether that be taking a stroll through the arb or treating myself to a nice lunch.
I truly believe that everyone should practice self-care. Practice loving yourself more and more each day until it become a habit. Learn the quirks that make up who you are. Self-care isn't just about retail therapy or spa days (even those are great methods); there's more to it. To me, self-care is an accumulation of finding out the things you love, doing them, learning why you love them, and (as cliche as it sounds) discovering who you are.
Self-care differs for everyone, but here are some of my important reminders when practicing self-care:
Understand the importance of taking care of yourself and accept that you haven't always been treating yourself well in the past. You have probably made yourself feel like shit, but that's totally okay, as long as you know now that doing that is not good for your soul. Realizing that you haven't always been good to yourself is a major key into self-caring. Understanding and realizing that you need to better yourself.
Find balance. This is pretty ambiguous, but find balance between what you love and the things you need/want to get done. Make sure you're not putting your work before your well-being and vice versa. Make them equal priorities.
Stop feeling guilty for doing the things you love. I admit I am constantly struggling with the feelings of guilt when doing leisurely things. But we all need to learn that doing things we love should be priorities. I sometimes feel like I could be occupying my time based on my STEM courses, work, etc. We all need to learn that self-care should be a worry-free thing; focus on the now rather than the future.
Self-care and soul searching go hand in hand. Coming to a big campus and not seeing as many familiar faces as I was use to, at times I felt like I was losing myself. Taking a pause once in a while allows you to recharge your feelings and get back on track or onto another one.
Self caring with others. Spread the love onto yourself and onto others. Self-care doesn't always have to be your "me time." If you find someone or a group of people who you vibe with and make you happy, share your time and life with them.
Understand that you deserve a break. This is related to the guilt factor that may play a role in self-care. You have been working so hard and trying and that's all that matters. Even if you feel like you may not have accomplished anything, you put in so much time and energy, and that's more than enough.
Don't make self-care a reward. Sure, self-care may act as a motivator to gets things done, but it shouldn't always be just a reward. Sometimes you need a break and a reality/privilege check.
Create your own definition of self-care. Self-care doesn't always have to be going out and splurging. It can just mean that you are taking the time to become self-aware and build a better relationship with yourself. You don't have to do anything extraordinary; you just sit and reflect. Go out for dinner even if it is overpriced or binge watch that show you've been wanting to. Treat yo self. Or just treat yourself better. Have a date with yourself and get to know yourself again. Look in the mirror and tell yourself "you're cute." Be your own motivator and supporter.
I hope that when you take good care of yourself, you remember that feeling and never let go of it.
So... have you self-cared today?