You prayed for this. You're booked and busy. Look at God.
But the downside is now you barely have white space on your calendar to smell the roses.
When women are too busy to take care of ourselves, it impacts every aspect of our lives. We become uninspired, overwhelmed, resentful, and irritable in relationships: work or personal.
We struggle with making healthy choices and forget about what matters most, our mental, physical and emotional health.
The question is never IF we should be taking care of ourselves, but when?
I had to learn this.
You have the time. You are never too busy for me-time. And shifting your perspective is the difference in knowing this is true.
Self-care isn't something for special occasions like vacations and parties. It's daily or weekly activities to help us stay on top of our game -getting enough sleep or even scheduling regular nail and hair appointments to show up confidently for your meetings and events.
True self-care is not bath salts and chocolate, it's making the choice to build a life you don't need to escape from.
I'll share some tips that will make you the boss of your at-home self-care routine. So read on, and get ready to level up more without adding more stress to your life.
The best 4 rituals to add to your self care routine ASAP
#1 Intentionally decide what things you aren't going to do
Only rookies overcommit.
I hung up my superwoman cape years ago.
Today, I proudly use Instacart to shop and deliver groceries. I have a professional cleaning service to help with my house upkeep. I have a team of experts to show up and show out for my event design company, Prelude Events Studio, daily.
I love to allow the help of others to create time on my calendar for days like pajama Mondays.
What is pajama Mondays?
It's the designated time in the week that I assigned to myself to practice self-preservation while lounging in pajamas which I lovingly refer to as Pajama Monday.
This concept began after my mom gifted me some pajamas. Click here to read more about my love for pajamas!
Quian's Self Care List
✔️Drink water
✔️Start a gratitude journal
✔️Exercise
✔️Listen to good music
✔️Read a book
✔️Use Instacart instead of going to the store to shop
✔️Attend a therapy session with a licensed counselor
✔️#PajamaMonday
✔️Hire a cleaning professional
Remember the importance of self-care and that you deserve it.
#2 Take time to get to know yourself and learn what makes you feel special.
It's no secret that professional women are often overwhelmed with juggling work and home life while squeezing in a little personal time here and there.
It's not a coincidence that flight attendants tell us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves before attempting to save the person's life near us in case of a crisis.
Why?
If you don't look after your own basic needs, you can't look after anyone else's. Simple.
All women need a self-care routine, not just a day here and there. Self-care is a lifestyle.
Think of your body as a car. You can't keep running without stopping for gas, tune-ups, and maintenance.
A empty tank will take you nowhere. Take time to refuel.
Think about what activities and people make you happy and bring joy to your soul.
Here are some ideas that may help.
Cook your favorite dinner while listening to a podcast.
Shop til you drop- online or in-person (your preference)
Read your favorite uplifting book.
Write down personal affirmations in your journal.
Practice yoga and make some hot tea.
Eat mindfully.
Clean one thing in your home.
#3 Prioritize your appearance
Taking time out to read a novel or cook you a delicious meal wearing something beautiful may seem like self-indulgence. But it's not. It's necessary.
The days are over for old raggedy pajamas or your significant other's old oversized shirt from ions ago.
When you look good, you feel good.
Two things that you can control in your life: your attitude and your effort.
#4 Use a journal to track and evaluate
Find what makes you feel centered.
Start by writing down as many things as you can think of that brings you joy, whether it's the color purple, receiving back rubs, springtime, certain smells, or essential oils.
Brainstorm how you can incorporate those things into your life. It could be in the background (such as filling your space with the colors and smells you enjoy).
Start small.
Once you decide what self-care practices you'd like to incorporate into your life, and develop S.M.A.R.T goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely
How will you practice self-care this week? Please share with us on social media using #pajamaMondayswithQuian