Tag Archives: 30daysofselfcare

Self-Care Day 14

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Start a Journal

I think that journaling can seem a little intimidating because you feel like you need to commit to journaling every single day, or you need to write something profound, or you need to have a special journal and a special pen *coughcough~me~coughcough* But all you really need is a cheap notebook, some looseleaf paper, or a file on your computer to make it happen.

And you don’t really need to write anything deep and prophetic. You can write “today sucked” and leave it at that. Or maybe you can elaborate about why today sucked. I did some searching on the interwebs and found that there are even journaling prompts you can use for mental health, creativity, inspiration, whatever you like.

You don’t need to write every day. I love to journal and don’t do it as much as I’d like, but one of my favorite things to do is to sit down and freehand write about a problem or idea that I’m trying to work out. I might just say blah, blah, blah… ramble on about bad ideas, or list out options. I don’t worry about paragraphs or punctuations, just sort of brain dump onto the paper. It’s surprisingly helpful.

Whatever method you choose to try, it may be a great way for you to sort out that chatter in your head!

Self-Care Day 12

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Take a Long Bath or Shower

OMG I miss having a bathtub so much. Long soaks are among my favorite things. More often than not I’m just taking a quick “get ready for work” shower, but every now and then I appreciate a nice long shower.

Warm water eases muscle tension and gets your circulation going, but did you know you can wash away more than grime? If you’ve had a rough day, hop in the shower! Visualize washing away negative emotions, angry words, or any of the crud people flung at you that day.

All that and you can sneak in a few minutes of alone time! (maybe… minus pets and small noisy humans). Enjoy!

Self-Care Day 10

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Take a Social Media Break

If you’re like me, it’s a little challenging to escape social media for a whole day when it’s part of running your business or doing your job. Sometimes, what I do is just what I need to for my business, but avoid my personal pages.

Other options include making your evening social media free for a few days or taking a weekend off. Just log out of those apps that inevitably show you something that gets you all agitated. You might (not) be surprised at the benefit to your blood pressure!

Self-Care Day 9

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Schedule Something Fun

You know that ‘all work and no play’ thing? It’s easy to get on the work, work, work routine and forget to take a little time out for fun.

Schedule a movie night or a game night with friends. Rent skis or snowshoes and take a little winter adventure. Make a snowman. Plan a day trip somewhere you haven’t been yet. Or just do something fun you used to love and haven’t done in ages.

A little lighthearted fun and laughter can do wonders for your well-being.

Self-Care Day 7

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Clear Out Some Clutter

My name is Tricia and I have a clutter problem. Raise your hand if you’re with me. 👋🏻

One of my goals this year is to start working on some of my clutter. In fact, this weekend I tackled one small clutter pile. I feel pretty good about it!

Even if it’s just sorting out a junk drawer you’ve been meaning to deal with, pick a spot and go to work. Set out what you need to sort, like a trash can, a file box, a shredder… Don’t be sentimental. If it’s been in a clutter pile for a year, there’s a darned good chance you don’t need it. The next time you walk by that former clutter site, you’ll feel pretty good about it!

Self-Care Day 6

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Touch Base With an Old Friend

Got someone you miss talking with? Old friends that you haven’t seen much of because of the pandemic? Reach out to them! Heck, reach out to more than one!

But how?

You can do the standard text or message them. You could *cringe* call them on the phone! You could even get a little creative and send them a snail mail note or card. Sometimes I like to drop a meme on a friend that’s one of those inside jokes, just for a giggle. Or find a really old photo and share it on social media.

Just have fun!

Have some fun with it! Sometimes, it does the soul good to reminisce with an old friend, remember some laughs and good times.

Self-Care Day 5

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Stretch

Stretching is one of those things that you (I) know makes you (me) feel better, but it’s so hard to remember to do! At least for me. And I should, theoretically, know better!

It’s always a good time to stretch

Of course, there’s the obvious stretch before/after a workout or physical exercise (or giving a massage), but there are some other times where stretching may benefit you physically and mentally. Stretching when you get up in the morning helps you get your blood circulating and loosens up those movable parts that have stiffened up overnight. Stretching before bed can help prevent leg cramps and other muscle spasms. It can also relieve the tension that may cause headaches, neck pain, and injuries from “sleeping wrong”.

Don’t be a cheese curl

Stretching during the workday is especially important for those who spend a lot of time at a computer. Take time to look up at the ceiling, lean back in your chair to stretch your neck and pecs to help prevent “tech neck”, tension headaches, and upper back pain. Check out something called the Pomodoro Technique – breaking your workday into 25-minute blocks with 5-minute breaks in between. After four or so, you take a longer break of 15-20 minutes. Use the short breaks to get up, walk around, and stretch your neck and shoulders. You can even find apps that do the timing for you.

“Motion is Lotion”, so get started today keeping all of your moving parts stretched and moving well to reduce pain and increase your mobility!

Self-Care Day 4

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Meditate

I know, I know… who has time to sit and say ohhhm for a half-hour? I can’t shut my squirrel brain off that long! Who can get their body into that weird pretzel position for that long?!

Did you know you can just sit in a comfy chair to meditate? You don’t even have to say “ohhmmm”. Here are some tips to incorporate meditation into your life:

Guided Meditation

YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify… the interwebs are full of recorded guided meditations. I’m a long-time fan of Jason Stephenson on YouTube. He has a huge collection of meditations for practically anything you can think of, including anxiety relief, sleep, affirmations, and healing. He also has what I think is a very soothing voice. Find his YouTube Channel here.

Soul Soothers: Mini Meditations for Busy Lives

This is a book written by a friend that features one-page meditations that can be practiced all day—while doing the dishes, waiting at the doctor’s office, or even in the shower. See? No pretzel required. (Great, now I want pretzels.) You can find the book here.

Make It Up As You Go

You don’t have to really even have a recording or an intent. Sometimes there’s magic in just putting down the work, phone, or responsibilities for five minutes and sitting quietly, staring into space. If your squirrel brain wants to gather nuts, just let it. Sometimes you might even find a solution you couldn’t see before around all the distractions.

Bottom Line

There aren’t really any rules to meditating. There are different styles you might find you like, or you can totally make up your own. Like anything, it takes a little practice, so don’t give up after the first attempt. You got this!

Self-Care Day 3

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Go to Bed Early

I can’t even tell you how many times I tell myself I’m going to go to bed early tonight… right after I get this “one more thing done” or my husband has to show me one more video on YouTube, or I remember that I needed to switch out the laundry, or, or…

Pick a night this week, put it on your schedule, and try going to bed half an hour to an hour early. And actually go to sleep when you get there. Try not to stare at your phone. See how you feel the next day after getting that extra hour of sleep! I’ll let you know if I manage to do it. 🙃

Pick a night this week, put it on your schedule, and try going to bed half an hour to an hour early. And actually go to sleep when you get there. Try not to stare at your phone. See how you feel the next day after getting that extra hour of sleep! I’ll let you know if I manage to do it. 🙃

Self-Care Day 2

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Make a Goals List

“Resolutions” make me cringe-y. Most don’t last a month for me. So, this year, I’m thinking about some goals. Yes, fitness is among them, but other stuff, too. Like, you know, self-care. Business goals. Have more fun. Make more art.

If you kick @$$ at resolutions, you go, you rockstar! If they freak you out, maybe just take this beginning of a new year to set a few goals for yourself. Make small ones, like setting your alarm a little earlier, or big ones, like a trip (pandemic willing). Give yourself something to look forward to, rather than something you HAVE to do.