It’s okay to not get the massage.
Self care. Self care. Self care.
While reserving space and time to care for ourselves in a chaotic, pressurized world is essential, the concept of “self care” has also become idealized and even exploited in recent years. Certain forms of self care (ex. “spa days”, exercise, etc.) have been pedestalized in mainstream media, which narrows the vision of self care considerably and reduces accessibility and inclusiveness for, well…the majority of people.
There are many reasons why people may avoid caring for themselves, and we believe that feeling pressure to create a luxurious experience for oneself every time we engage in self care only adds to the mix. The purpose of this post is to let you know that it is perfectly alright to choose boring, less “shiny” forms of self care when they meet your needs more efficiently and that it is important to pay attention to what those needs actually are in the first place.
“But I have no clue what I need!”
We hear you – totally and completely.
Start here:
Taking a moment to consider how you are feeling can help you choose self care activities that will be most appropriate for bringing you back to a more balanced place. We know, we know, getting in touch with feelings is everyone’s faaavorite activity (haha, not), but doing so can tell us more about what we are truly needing.
Below are a few examples of how to tie it all together!
Example 1:
Feeling/affect: Bored, isolated, lonely
Potential need: Connection
Possible self care activities: Reach out to a friend or support person, engage with recovery-positive social media, try a group movement class, etc.
Example 2:
Feeling/affect: Overwhelmed, over-extended, “burnt out”
Potential need: Rest
Possible self care activities: Rest (nap, go to bed early, sleep in), massage or spa treatment, cancel plans, etc.
Example 3:
Feeling/affect: Anxious, restless, unsettled
Potential need: Calm, comfort
Possible self care activities: Guided meditation, grounding/breathing technique, nature walk, etc.
For more self-care inspiration, check out the link below about “boring self care” and one of our favorite Instagram profiles: @makedaisychains
‘Boring Self-Care’ Drawings Celebrate Everyday Mental Health Victories
*Disclaimer* Choose what feels right to you. These suggestions are in no way absolute and are not meant to replace your current self care regimen, only to enhance your mindfulness around it. You don’t have to fit any mold ever, and we want you to choose self care activities that help you feel like your best self, no matter how trendy, luxurious, involved, simple, or boring they are or are not.