There are times when the day is done and all I want to do is fall into bed and sleep. I take sleep seriously even though I don't think I get enough on average, I get enough to keep me functioning relatively well.
Every now and then though, I like to be a real girl. I like to run a long bath and add my favourite Jasmine bubble bath and some essential oils. Make the water piping hot and submerge myself while playing soothing music. I like the feeling of fresh, crisp sheets and soft textures on my skin at night. I like wearing cozy socks in winter and hot chocolate to drink before bed and real chocolate to eat in bed! Most days I don't eat much sweet stuff, but I have been guilty of occasionally eating cheesecake instead of lunch. Is it really a guilty pleasure? Is it?
For my age there are a lot of things that I could improve for my overall health, I could walk more, read more, socialise more, but I'm pretty happy with where I am now with myself and it's taken a long time to get here.
I no longer feel like I need to be flashy to be happy or to have sculpted abs, my body is pretty good for what it's endured. I'm not overweight, I still have my curves and they fit me perfectly well for my height. I eat pretty well, mostly home cooked meals and I hardly have fast food. I enjoy greens with my meals and I don't drink alcohol. There is a lot of coffee and tea though but hardly any soda, I've cut that down to practically naught.
A few days ago I got offered a free hairdo by my neighbour's mom who was staying over at her son for Mother's Day. I so badly wanted to do it, but the weekend schedule was already full so it didn't happen and I was rather disappointed as I feel like it is one thing that I haven't paid much attention to for a while. Messy hair days happen. Often.
I think it's more important to take care of the emotional than the physical at times too and being in a good place where there are people that I care about and that care about me is something that I hold dear. We all have tough times and I've had many. There have been challenges, failures, adversity by the shit ton and a whole range of other things that have contributed to the not-so-great times of my life, but I rose above all of them and none of them have whittled me down to the point where I wasn't able to get up again. There will be more of those times – I'm sure of it, but I'll make it through as I always have done. With the help of a little bit of self care and time out. Writing, reading, listening to the right music, speaking to the right people and spending time in nature.
Speaking of nature, how gorgeous is that flower? I sometimes feel like a flower. Something that needs nurturing. Especially when I'm feeling delicate. Nobody else is going to do it for me, so I do it for myself.
What do you do to prioritise self care and get out of tough spots in life?
