When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.
~ Jean Shinoda Bolen
As a caregiver for my beloved Jim for five years, one important thing I learned during that time was the importance of caring for self. I think that part of healing has to do with self-care and this is what I'm doing for the New Year. I just came off of a Stay-at-Home Retreat and decided to prepare a Self-Care Basket that I can go to when I need a day to focus on myself. This did not happen to me in my first years of loss, but we change – and for me, today I like to focus on doing something for myself.
My Self-Care Basket for 2019
Gifting myself a day of self-care ~ suggestions for my basket (items can be changed)
***Drink more lemon water that day, or buy fresh flowers for the day, schedule naptime, have a self-love affirmations list to recite throughout the day:
- I accept all compliments,
- I let go of all negative talk,
- I accept myself for who I am,
- I will treat myself with kindness,
- I will stop apologizing for who I am…
Massage oils (I like eucalyptus oil and tea extract), a yoga DVD, facial mask supplies, Epsom salts for a bath, take a walk in nature, spend time in your garden, go for a swim, treat self to a manicure/pedicure, find a reason to laugh
Something Emotional
Journal/pen, tissues, add a movie you’ve already seen or one you want to watch to your basket, listen to music from a playlist you created, create an art piece to express your emotion
Something Spiritual
Meditations or articles from my Pinterest boards, do a random act of kindness, read a favorite book, listen to inspirational talks, listen to music, breathe, listen to a podcast or TED talks: ‘Body Language’ by Amy Cuddy and ‘The Power of Introverts’ by Susan Cain are two talks I listened to on my stay at home Retreat (the Internet has many TED talks that inspire)
Something Sensory
Stress ball, scented candle, soft blanket or fuzzy socks, a pleasure reading book (I like Mary Oliver’s book Dog Songs), drink herbal tea, listen to music, and eat chocolate
Something Social
Send a card to a special person, write a letter to someone you haven’t heard from for a while, call or text a friend, spend time with an animal and if you do not have a pet perhaps you could visit a shelter, write a letter to yourself complimenting yourself for something you did, go to lunch with friends, be proactive, not reactive to situations
Notes to self:
- In the evening make a plan for the next day
- Have a routine – streamlines daily processes
- Have a style of dress (I like scarves and add them to my wardrobe)
- Check your emails or texts and respond sooner rather than later
- Keep your space neat – less clutter
- List things that you are grateful for that day
- Define what gives you stress
Also by Anne Gorman:
Related:
- Voices of Experience: Looking Back
- How Grief Can Affect Your Health
- Reflections for a Grieving Heart
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