Hi everyone, Jill here.
I’ve been hosting the June Dresses account for the first week of the 2019 campaign!
I’ve had a great time seeing everyone’s dresses and energy, and can’t wait to see all the women supporting women throughout the month. I’ve been having a hard time coming up with a topic for a June Dresses blog post, so thought I would write about something that’s really important to me – Self-Care!
Taking Time for Ourselves
I manage two women’s shelters in South London. I work with women who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse, poor mental and physical health, addiction, and trauma.
Although the work is rewarding, it can also be very challenging. My clients, my staff, and I all benefit from taking some time to put ourselves first. We all experience stress at home, work, school, and day-to-day life, so we should all be taking time for ourselves!
Unfortunately, self-care has become a bit of a buzzword recently. It has been conflated with bubble baths and glasses of wine when it is so much more than that! It’s become something trendy, that only people with time and money can do. Well, I want to show you all that that’s not the case!
Self-care does not have to be expensive or cost anything at all. Additionally, self-care is personal. What works for someone else may not work for you!
Lastly, self-care isn’t always glamorous, but that’s ok!
Self-Care Recommendations
So, what are my self-care recommendations?
I think it’s important to remember that self-care doesn’t just happen. It’s something that you have to take time and put effort into in order to get the results. So think about it as an investment – self-care is putting time, effort, and maybe money into yourself.
Your wellbeing is worth it!
I was going to list some of my ‘favourite’ self-care activities, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I actually don’t like doing some of these things when I am doing them.
I do, however, feel so much better after I’ve done them. This includes things like deleting emails from my personal account (I get so many emails at work, I hate looking at them at home), paying bills, making the bed, and making appointments with the doctor and dentist.
I do also take time to do ‘fun’ self-care activities as well, of course. Here are some ideas for you to try!
- Put on your favourite song and sing along
- Take time to focus on your breath. Breathe in and out – ALL the way
- DON’T scroll through social media – take a digital detox
- Daydream
- Check one item off your To-Do List
- Put on a nicely scented perfume or lotion
- Go for a walk
- Write a letter – for real – and put it in the mail!
- Doodle
- Call (don’t text) a friend
- Spend time with an animal
Challenge Yourself
Self-care can take a couple of minutes or a couple of hours. Find patterns and routines that work for you! Challenge yourself to take time for yourself, and tell others about it so they can hold you accountable.
Remember, stressing about self-care isn’t self-care.
So now I’m off, with a cup of tea and a book that’s been on my To-Read list, to spend some time with myself.
I want to challenge you all to do something for yourself today as well. Why not take a picture and share with your friends too?! Enjoy!
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