If you show some kindness and affection to only one person today let it be yourself. Here are my top 5 self care ideas for a calmer, more loving relationship with yourself.
1. Have a bath
Lock the door, get the candles on, smash some fancy bath bomb stuff if the vibe takes you… don’t worry about the people you’re ignoring while you’re in there, no offence but anyone (kids, friends, phone, partner, parents) can survive an hour without your attention. Feel the warmth of the water on your skin and listen to the noises it makes and how they sound against the echoing silence of the bathroom. 2. Read
Books are alternate realities and that’s why people love them. Take a break from your world for just 20 minutes a day to remind yourself that there are infinite possibilities and that the world is a wider place than your daily stresses would have you believe.
3. Meditate
I took a mindfulness course at the Buddhist Centre in Manchester and it changed my life by teaching me how to accept my thoughts, to be present in the moment and to actively promote kind feelings towards myself and others. You don’t need to take a course to get started and mindfulness is on the up and up so the likelihood is you’ll find somewhere local to you. Most towns in Cheshire have a regular meditation class and after a few sessions you’ll find yourself a new person.
4. Take yourself out for a coffee
Learn to be with yourself. Listen to your thoughts. It might be uncomfortable at first but spending time alone is a great way to build a knowing relationship with yourself. Buy a little treat that makes you swell up with good feels. You deserve it!
5. Learn something new
There are tons of evening courses you can do for not very much money. That thing you’ve always wanted to do? Do it! You can do what you want! Whether its cross stitch, pottery, sign language, guitar, cookery… remind yourself that your potential is expansive and grow your brain too. This is a great way to build self care into your weekly routine as most courses will have a set date and time. Go for it!
If these things sound like they’re going to bore you to tears that’s totally cool – self care doesn’t have to be super zen. Whatever makes you feel good about yourself and the world you live in, and you know that you’re doing it just for your own amusement, indulgence or growth… that’s self care! We often find it difficult to prioritise ourselves at the expense of other people but there really is nobody in your life that you’re going to have to put up with more than yourself so you might as well put some energy into building that relationship – it’s a lifelong thing!