Share your self-care!

[Azura]

Self care this week has been really important as I could feel my mood and self esteem plummet. So lots more snuggly nights and making up my bed with fresh linen
Had a manicure today .

[Lhiver]

@Azura How are you feel this weekend? I always find small things like having clean bedding really make such a big difference to ones mood! And getting a manicure always helps with my self-esteem! what colour did you get?

This week my self care is ensuring I give myself time on my own and become used to my own company and being self sufficient. My house mate is moving out so I will be living on my own for the first time. I'm excited but also nervous as I have always been in share houses, so I think I will have to get used to my own company. That does worry me a little as I'm an extrovert, but I do think it's really important for me to learn that spending time on my own is okay. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get back into my hobbies properly and also I guess get to know myself a bit better, without always being on Fun Outgoing Mode, or being reliant on others to maintain my emotions.

how about everyone else? what does your self care look like this week? @PnorkelPW @ScorpionPW @Azura @Diogenes @Jason4060 @JiangMan @sunny222 @Shuki @Vibes @MrBlonde @Dude_Guyson @Janiegirl

[PnorkelPW]

It’s the simple things that make self care sometimes and I often forget that. I spent yesterday morning laying in bed watching Netflix which is rare for me. I find it difficult to do because I feel like I should be out amongst the day……….but it feels so good wrapped up in the doona on a cold wintery day bingeing a series.

Knowing what works for you @Azura is important and even more important is recognising that you need it. I think it’s awesome you have the awareness to know it’s time to implement the self care…………and there really is nothing like getting into a bed with fresh sheets. A manicure sounds like a great way to feel good about yourself and a visual reminder to feel good too.

What else works for you??? What’s something you haven’t done for a while from your self care repertoire???

@Lhiver I love living on my own. It’s been three years now and it took me some time to get used to but I love having my own space. It’s my safe haven and I can watch what I want when I want and most importantly I can crank the music at any time of day!!! You can still have friends over and you can do it as often as you like now without worrying about your housemate. Maybe you’ll discover you love it?? Maybe you’ll discover you’d prefer a housemate?? But there’s only one way to find out.

My self care was about boundaries and giving myself space this weekend. It was my birthday which is a day that’s evolved to me spending on my own and reflecting on the year that’s been. I got a massage and bought some clothes, went for a beach walk and ate ice cream, had pizza for dinner but made sure I’ve been exercising most days too. I did what was right for me and not what other people expected of me.

I’m just trying to keep things simple at the moment………..and that’s my self care.

[ScorpionPW]

Oh fresh sheets are one of my favourite feelings @Azura! One thing that really stands out for me when I read your posts is the value in the simple things...

It wasn't until I got into recovery that I started to appreciate such simple things, whether it was just being able to afford to have a nice meal with some friends, being able to wake up feeling free and able to make choices for the day instead of being driven by my addiction before I even opened my eyes after a good night sleep or having the ability to be present to make new connections without feeling the need to stay as far away from reality as I could.

After chasing extravagance, extreme highs and in excess, as if nothing was ever enough for a long time in addiction I never knew how much genuine satisfaction and peace could come from such simple things. It's also easy to lose sight at this at times after being in recovery for a long time so it's a really nice reminder to how self care looks for you and @PnorkelPW as well

I also moved into my own place and living alone for the first time in my life since January last year @Azura. I've absolutely loved it, it was really hard throughout the lockdowns last year but since crawling out of a bit of an isolated hole and made an effort to bring connection into my life I appreciate it so so much. It's so nice knowing that nothing moves unless I move it and that my standard of living won't conflict with anybody elses

This week self care for me has been all about trying to remain disciplined with going to sleep at a reasonable time and not watch "one more" episode of the series I'm on, I've even set a bed time alarm on my phone which I'm trying to stick to each night. It's also been about being present for my family since my grandfather has been in palative care and passed this afternoon. When my grandmother died I was really off the rails so I'm very grateful to be having a very different experience as family has value to me now that it never did before. Finally it's been about allowing myself to only do what I'm capable of without being hard on myself. There's so many moving parts to my life now and it's easy to think I should be doing more but over time, I'm getting better and better at knowing what I need to look after myself without stretching myself too think as well as knowing that I'm fronting up to everything to the best of my ability.

I'm looking forward to seeing if anybody else shares what self care is looking like for the, I love this topic

[Azura]

Sorry to hear of your families loss .@ScorpionPW Hope everyone is doing ok under difficult circumstances of grief.
Self care for me this week has been about taking time to do what I want and need and this week I needed alot of reflective solitude. So I was able to say this to a friend who was going to stay over mid week. It went better than I thought it would and had dinner with her and another friend then I could leave when I needed to.
It is about the simple things and I really enjoy my space when I'm comfortable with my head. Been doing abit of gardening on my balcony and I find that really relaxing .

[ScorpionPW]

Thanks @Azura, I appreciate it. Everyone is doing ok and he was 98 when he passed. He lived a very full and rewarding life, he was even going skiing in Japan every year until he was about 94. We are grateful that when things started to go downhill that it wasn't a slow decline after him living so independently and capably for so much of his life

It's so nice seeing you talk about communicating your needs and your friend being really accepting and supportive of that. I can remember so many times when I felt too afraid to communicate my needs because of how people might react or what they're expectations might be. I'm sooo much better at communicating my needs now and I've discovered that the people who are respectful and supportive are the ones I want in my life as I'm able to reciprocate that and if people don't respond well then that's not my responsibility. If I don't put myself first then I can easily end up in a place where I feel like I've got nothing to give and it's been really rewarding discovering how to practice self love and respect before anything else.

This week self care for me has looked like continuing to be disciplined with going to bed early which is better some nights than other, but slowly becoming more consistent. Also not getting too stressed at work being in a really busy period and trying to allow myself to not expect more of myself than I'm capable of, otherwise I know burnout could easily occur. It also helps having a workplace that is very aware of the situation and very supportive.

What's every body elses self care looking like?

[teapot]

This week my self care has been embroidery! When I'm stressed I like to have something to do with my hands, and more often than not I find myself stress scrolling social media, making myself feel worse. Colour-by-number embroidery kits from K-Mart give me something to do with my hands that is slow and sensory and keeps me off my phone. I do it in front of the TV or while listening to a podcast.

[Lhiver]

I'm looking forward to my self-care this coming week, it sounds incredibly boring but it's just spending some time at home. I think over the past few years my relationship with gong out and socialising has changed. Once lock downs were lifted in Vic it was difficult to find a healthy routine as it felt like there was pressure to be out and about. However, the past few months have led me to realise that being at home, giving yourself space to do what you have to do, cooking,cleaning, hobbies, rest etc. is so so important, and also very easy to neglect.

@Azura @WildeReformed @PnorkelPW @ScorpionPW @SoberMe2022 @Skit @Cheryl Anne @Katiee @applehelper

[Azura]

Yeah I really had to readjust since lockdowns have ended and I have had the relative freedom of NSW laws.
I am still getting used to be ok with being in my space so much. But am finding that I am wanting to get out less and less.
Having just quit a job i was doing I am now home most of the time. Self care has become really important for my sense of self.
I think my self care this week will be about self compassion. Been churning over some stuff in my head and I think it would be good to view myself with compassion and kindness. Or at least not judge. My self care will also involve continuing to keep clear boundaries with people in my building.

[PnorkelPW]

I love that @Lhiver and @Azura..............I've found the freedom of chilling at home and doing all the life admin stuff to be great self care. The simplicity and lack of chaos is really refreshing and gives me time to just get my headspace in order. My weekend was three days and will be for the next few weeks. I booked by myself to play golf and ended up grouped with another couple of guys I didn't know but it was a good laugh and great just to be outdoors. It was all housework from there where I just felt cleansed when I looked around the house afterwards............a real feeling of satisfaction.

So my self care for this week is to book another game of golf, to mow my lawns, to get enough sleep, to spend some quality time with my daughter and do the jigsaw puzzle she bought me for my birthday. Oh..........and to take a hot chocolate to the beach and watch the waves. Maybe even walk the sand if it's not too cold.

[ScorpionPW]

I really relate @Lhiver, after being in lockdown for so long I felt such a need to get out into the world and reconnect once we could again. It's taken me a while to allow myself to slow down and find time to just regroup and relax on my own. It is certainly well needed at the moment with how busy everything is!

I absolutely love that @Azura, self compassion...I find it so easy to get the whip out and be hard on myself so it's a great reminder to realign with the fact that I do the best I can with having a lot on my plate and that I am only human! When I was early in my recovery and my self esteem still wasn't very good I remember somebody suggesting that I speak to myself the same way I would speak to those that I love and care about. That really helped me to learn how to treat myself with kindness and feel comfortable with putting my needs above others.

That honestly sounds like a perfect week @PnorkelPW...I love how simple all of that is and it really reminds me how much I appreciate such simple things now that I thought I never would

Self care for me this week is mainly just getting enough sleep...I've been struggling to get to sleep early and I'm starting to feel burnt out because of it. Also to leave work at work as I'm finding it difficult to disconnect and get it off my mind because of how much is going on at the moment.

[Lhiver]

hello hello everyone! it's the weekend, and that means giving ourselves a little bit of TLC!

This week my self care is pretty basic, it's just cleaning and tidying up my flat. Having a clean living space, especially my office makes it a lot easier for me to have a tidy headspace!

so ho about everyone else @Alunnaria @Cheryl Anne @bostonsweets @Panlia @Bella1986 @Ange88834 @Azura @CRAZYGRANNY @applehelper @Alvarosyd @PnorkelPW @ScorpionPW

[PnorkelPW]

Thanks for the tag @Lhiver …………I’ve given myself a but of a break for a couple of weeks.

I’ve accepted that I’m not going to get any/as much exercise last week or this and that my food prep is out the window due to roadblocks to my routine. Instead of doing my head in trying to force things, I’ve just given myself permission to relax, eat whatever I feel like and just roll with whatever timetable presents itself.

It’s self care with a difference but hopefully it helps me feel relaxed during a difficult couple of weeks.

[ScorpionPW]

Thanks for sharing @Lhiver, I definitely relate. Having a clean space is so important for me, treating my home like the sanctuary it is for me helps me to keep my mind clear and focussed. I love what you said to @PnorkelPW, a great reminder to not be hard on oneself.

Self care this week for me is all about getting enough sleep, making sure I unplug from work when I'm not there and getting on top of some life admin stuff that's piled up a little bit

[Lhiver]

hello hello everyone! This week my self care is spending time with family. I'm someone who really enjoys being social, but at times I find that that can impact on the time I spend with family. I'm trying to make a concerted effort to spend more time with my family! It's ice to be with people and just be yourself and not feel any pressure to be someone else!

How about everyone else?

@charlottesometimes @PetaM91 @Ai1985 @Xena9492 @Mangoes @Needtogethelp88 @ing @Azura