My favorite self-care actions when things feel tough

I’m not gonna lie to you, I am the queen of self-care. Routines, little actions toward myself that make me feel good, and allowing myself to feel my feelings and then move through them, are all things I’ve worked hard to implement in my life.

It’s no secret that things have been tough on all of us lately. Along with economic stress and carrying the weight of other people’s pain, we are also isolating ourselves out of necessity. It all feels a bit inhumane, and utopic, really.

Even as somebody who already works from home, the first few days of the world being shut down was difficult for me to adjust to. My routine was disrupted, and I can only imagine what a difficult time it’s been for many of you who do not regularly work from home. However, over a few days time, I had to make the necessary adjustments and create new routines and rhythms, especially from the comfort of my own home.

These are a few of the actions I’ve started to lean on, and I know that I will take with me back into “normal life” as well:

Start your day with movement or at least a different scenery

The number one lesson I’ve learned from working from home, is that I have to start my day with either movement or leaving the apartment for a hot sec. Rolling out of bed and into your living room to work starts to feel like failure real fast. Starting my day early and with a workout helps prep my brain for the day, gives me a sense of accomplishment before I start anything work-related, and gives me a huge boost of endorphins that make me more productive. If you are unable to work out or that’s just not your thing, I highly recommend walking the block or popping over to the nearest coffee shop to just get your brain awake and alert.

A few of my favorite gyms/workout sources are doing tons of live workouts and free online trials for at-home movement:

• Burncycle
• Community Fitness
• Barre3
• Classpass

Write down what you’re grateful for, and what your goals are

This is a practice that has helped me SO much. I write down 5 things I am grateful for in the moment, 10 goals I have (the same ones every day!), and then what single goal I am working toward right now. You’ll write those goals as if you’ve already accomplished them too – there’s research that it helps you change your disposition and work ethic toward those things! Example: “I own a home in Seattle with a garden” – it gets me excited for the day that I DO have that, and inspires me to work harder toward that goal because it is totally doable. And your goals are doable, too!

Keep up any routines you already have

Regardless of the situation, I always keep my morning and evening routines pretty much the same. For example, I always make myself a smoothie bowl and coffee in my French press in the morning, and that’s not changing anytime soon! In the evening, I always dim the lights early, drink my sleepytime tea, and read a few pages of whatever book I’m reading before nodding off. These times feel sacred to me.

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Incorporate an activity using your hands

Cooking, baking and puzzling have been comforting to me during this period of social-isolation in Seattle! I’m actually super shocked that I have not binged on TV, because my new evening additions include cooking and then chipping away at the puzzle I got because it’s soo addicting haha. I usually drink tea and put on a podcast while I’m working on it, and I feel completely immersed in what I’m doing. My hands are working on something, my ears are listening to something, and my phone is tucked away. It helps with distracting yourself from the chaotic news reports and feelings of loneliness as well.

Get reading!!

I already mentioned this with my nighttime routine, but I am a HUGE book nerd. Having more time for that is such a gift, and it also helps you to immerse in someone else’s words and story. I may have to do a post on allll my favorite books soon, so stay tuned for that! 😉

Find connection whenever you can

What I’ve loved during this time is the feeling that when you connect with people, it feels like this lovely indulgence. Indulge yourself in friendship. FaceTime a friend while your puzzling, meet up with someone for a walk, send a few “thinking of you” texts a day. I hope we learn from this time just how vital those interactions are in our everyday life, and that we never take them for granted again.

Try meditation

I’ll admit, this is one of those things I wish I did more often. However, I do love being led in breathwork by people and always feel so calm afterword. I’ve seen a lot of meditation apps also doing extended free trials during this time. There’s so much research on how breath and mindfulness can impact your life positively, there’s no reason not to give it a go.

Allow yourself to feel deeply, and allow yourself to move through those feelings

As a big ol’ feeler on every personality test and an enneagram 4, I have a deep respect and commitment to honoring my feelings. I think it’s vital that we pay attention to them, but as I’ve grown over the last few years I’ve realized it’s equally important that we release them. Releasing them for me sometimes takes place in physical exertion, talking to a friend or my therapist, or quickly jotting them down in the notes section of your phone. Right after that, it’s great to write down those things you’re grateful for again.

There ya have it…

A few of my go-to actions for coping and giving yourself true self care. I mean I’m definitely always be a face mask and glass of wine girl, but I think the above actions are some better ways to get at the root of things 😉

If you dug this article, let me know! I’d love to hear more about the things I can write for you that would help with all things wedding planning resources, life, or business! Let me know and thank you for taking the time to read more about how you can care for yourselves. Take it easy fam. xoxo.

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