i have what i call rooftop thoughts. these are ideas so self evident i want to stand on a rooftop and shout for everyone to hear. this is one of them:
SELF CARE IS NOT JUST EXPENSIVE HOBBIES AND GADGETS!!! the most effective self care doesn't involve anything but you.
here are 100% free and effective self care activities.
1. breathe: i hate that "take a deep breath" has become a punchline cliche. breathing is the start of everything else we can do for ourselves.
2. relax your body.
3. rethink your situation. identify and reshape the negative thoughts causing your stress.
4. give yourself credit for the things you do well.
5. remind yourself you don't have to be perfect to be doing well.
6. stop trying to do what is right; do what is right FOR YOU.
7. say no when it's right for you.
9. forgive yourself.
10. forgive others. it's more self caring than holding a grudge.
11. appreciate what you have.
12. stop focusing on what is wrong with you and embrace what is right with you.
but wait. there's more! you don't have to go to the gym or cross international borders to engage in any of this. you can do it all right in the comfort of right where you are.
and that's not all! don't wait for the weekend or that mythical time in your life when nothing else is going on. self care whenever you need it. before breakfast. after the inane meeting. at 3am when your brain decides it's done sleeping but your body disagrees.
if you are holding grudges, focusing on your flaws and people pleasing, no amount of stuff-intensive self care will provide the relief you are looking for.
the most meaningful self care isn't time sensitive, takes up no space in your basement and isn't something you will sell during your yearly spring self care purge.
take as much as you want. it's free.
some assembly required.
for information on individual therapy, contact me at bradleyjabel@gmail.com
