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July and August were the worst two months of my life.
There were too many unexpected downfalls. I had bad days, but I also had many good ones.
I moved on.
I recovered.
And now I’m okay…
I’m slowing down and trying to prioritize what truly matters. Am I looking at the bright side? No…not yet, but I’m appreciating my present moment and what it has in store for me.
Everybody keeps telling me that practicing some self-care will help me develop an optimistic outlook. They believe that taking care of myself will instantly take me to the “bright side.”
It hasn’t…
I’m not there yet. All the self-care practices that usually make me feel fulfilled are actually making me feel, ahem, worse.
Writing a journal isn’t helping.
Breathing intentionally isn’t helping.
Reading, nope.
Spending time in nature, maybe.
This week, intentional self-care has felt like another thing I need to check off my list. It’s a burden, to be honest. So I’ve asked myself, “What do I really need right now that might help me reconnect with myself?”
Apparently, there are many things that can help me take care of myself that have nothing to do with “conventional” self-care practices.
Here’s what I’m doing:
1. Decluttering.
Amazing, right? I’ve been committed to decluttering my home, as it’s helping me regain a sense of control. In fact, it’s called stress cleaning…and it’s making me feel better. I’m organizing shelves and tossing out unused items. Whenever I feel stressed or down, I take a mental break and tidy up.
2. Being alone.
Connecting with others is a well-known form of self-care that can make us feel happier and supported. However, feeling the urge to be alone is also a legit self-care practice, but we often fear or dismiss it. Aloneness has been providing me with the mental clarity I need to make sound choices.
3. Crying.
It can be good for you, I promise. Not all self-care practices should revolve around “happy” or “positive” feelings. Sometimes our pain needs an unconventional outlet where we can make peace with our most difficult experiences. It’s a natural pain reliever that might lead to a beautiful day.
4. Stepping away.
One of the things that has helped me feel better is stepping away from everything that might make me feel overwhelmed—including people, social media, and messages. Sometimes we have to disconnect so we can reconnect with ourselves and the world.
5. Being honest.
I’ve been honest with myself and others—mostly about how I feel and what I want. A genuine self-care practice entails the ability to understand one’s emotions and needs and stay away from deception. Having to lie is tiring, and it simply doesn’t enable me to be in tune with the rest of the world.
6. Being gentle with myself.
I’m not pushing through. I’m not making endless to-do lists or giving myself a specific timeline for when to heal. I’m gentle with myself when I let myself be—without any expectations or restraints. Self-care means authenticity, and I choose to practice it fully.
author: Elyane Youssef
Image: Ilyasick Photo/Pexels
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