Finally finished this awesome puzzle that I started a gazillion days ago! And now, I want to re-watch the movie.
self care
#ichoosebeauty Day 2641
Happy Birthday to me! 🥳🥳 I couldn’t decide which flavor cake to get, so I got both – chocolate and chocolate raspberry. I figure when there’s something to celebrate during this pandemic, you gotta really go for it!
#ichoosebeauty Day 2640
It’s been one year and five months since I last colored my hair, and I’m happy to report that I’m still loving the gray situation! I like this length, so I’ve got about six more months until all the color is cut off. Until then, I’m kinda digging the grombre look.
#ichoosebeauty Day 2609
I’m taking in allllll the lavender aromatherapy to help calm my nerves. How’re you doing today?
Link to the diffuser pictured here.
Self-care to get through this political unrest
Whatever self-care you need to get through this time of overwhelming political unrest, do that.
Get out in nature, take a nap, listen to music that makes you feel good, light some candles, read a book, meditate, exercise, diffuse your favorite essential oils, savor your favorite food, watch a movie, take lots of deep breaths… whatever you need. Just take care of you.
This is all very heavy. And comes on the heels of the hardships we already endured in 2020.
So please, if you need support right now, reach out:
- If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or text MHA to 741-741.
- If you are not in crisis, but need to talk to someone, my partner, Mental Health America, can help you find a warmline. Warmlines connect you with trained support staff who understand what it’s like to struggle with mental health problems, and can help you address your current situation. Go to mhanational.org/warmlines to find a warmline near you.
Take good care. xx
#ichoosebeauty Day 2604
What a dark day for our country. I lit this candle for a little bit of comfort and light for us all.
#ichoosebeauty DAY 2600!!
Celebrating 2600 days of #ichoosebeauty, having a little talk with the ocean, God, the universe… just letting it all wash over me. It’s been a really draining few weeks, and this was a much-needed healing outing.
What’s in my mental health toolbox?
I wanted to share what I turn to when I’m struggling, in case it might help you during these overwhelming times.
Most of the tools aren’t actually in this giant box I’m holding , but rather things I’ve learned to do over the years that have been incredibly useful during the challenges of 2020.
The first two are the most important, and are lifesaving for me: therapy and medsI will never stop saying this – Please don’t be ashamed to get professional help!
- Basic healthy lifestyle things: good sleep, a clean diet, exercise, and minimizing exposure to environmental toxins
- My daily #ichoosebeauty practice to notice the beauty in life’s little things every day
- Coping statements that you see me post here, like “focus on the good,” “keep going,” and “it’s going to be okay”
- Reframing negative thoughts – a great resource for this is The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook
- Meditating (I use Insight Timer)
- Journaling (I use the prompts in the Finding Hope journal I created)
- Resting without feeling guilty (I’m getting better at this!)
- Keeping things around that make me feel good – inspirational card decks, music, anything lavender…
Do I still struggle? Of course, I do. Mental health is a constant battle with your brain. But these tools help me come out ahead most days.
Want more ideas? My partner, Mental Health America, has lots of helpful info on its website here.
#ichoosebeauty Day 2428
How fitting is it that “evolve” was what I chose months ago as my word for the year?
#ichoosebeauty Day 2414
What I’m grateful for today: my heating pad, massage ball, and cookbooks to read while I’m in bed healing.
Give yourself permission to rest
Me, the past several days since I threw out my back last week.
I’m still having painful muscle spasms, despite my meds, ice cream, and kitty cuddles. I haven’t been able to do much, and of course, I keep thinking about all the things I need to do.
But I’m pretty sure this was one of those signs from the universe forcing me to slow down. Again. Because apparently, I still need to work on that whole letting-myself- rest-before-it’s-too-late thing.
So this is a reminder to you… to let yourself rest when you need to, and to give yourself grace. Learn from me and my painful lessons.
And please take care of your mental health, now more than ever. This year has been so draining mentally, which can take its toll physically.
If you need support right now, my partner Mental Health America has plenty of resources on its website: everything from free and anonymous screenings to DIY tools to information on affordable treatment if you don’t have insurance. Click here to get started.
Take good care, friends.
#ichoosebeauty Day 2411
One of my favorite mental health tools to help reset my thinking. Thank you Louise Hay for sharing your wisdom with these Power Thought Cards.
#ichoosebeauty Day 2410
My comforting trio. I have these in a corner on my desk, and they bring me such peace.
#ichoosebeauty Day 2310
Diffusing lavender essential oil for a little self care today. It’s just what I needed for some calmness. What have you been doing for self care during this stressful time? Share it in the comments so we can all get ideas from each other.
