The Self-Care Ritual

We all get tangled up in our lives one way or another. We're always busy, whether with our studies, work, families, and every other thing. Yes it’s good and productive, but it can also be unhealthy and tiring. That tangle can also take a piece of yourself with it.  

This is where Self-care comes in. 

Self-care is the key to keeping yourself on track and taking a breath every once in a while. And there are many ways to do that. You just have to have the intention. 

The first thing you can do is to leave your phone in another room for a few hours. I would suggest turning it off completely but I know that is close to impossible, so just leaving it far is fine. If you can turn it off, then go ahead and join me. 

You wouldn’t believe how easy those few hours will be. Give yourself a relief from the control of your phone and the social media. You want to check out the stories on Instagram, see what everyone’s up to on twitter, scroll endlessly on Facebook (yes, I know I know!). The thing is that, most likely it will get you nowhere. And besides, you will do that later anyway so just enjoy these few hours for yourself, and yourself only. 

The second thing to do is make food. I’m starting off the correct way huh? Hopefully choosing a healthy dish but no matter, the focus here is the actual act of cooking.  Cooking might not be for everyone, and you might not know how to do so, but it’s okay (it's more fun this way 😉...). Just give it a try, get out that unused recipe book or find a recipe online (from your laptop or something but use it only for recipe – we don’t want to forget about the social media temporary detox so don’t try to do your fancy tricks). 

The act of cooking, or figuring it out anyway, is the relaxing part. Okay relaxing might not be the right way to describe it, because you might be panicking, but you will be focused on your dish or desert, therefore getting your mind off of everything else. A nice way also is to ask a friend or someone to cook with you and make a nice catching up time with it. 

Okay, if you’re really not into cooking, you can just make your lame cereal and just go with it (I’m kidding cereal rocks! … How about that for encouragement?) 

So, by the end of it, you will have something to eat which is the best part and one hell of a cooking experience (Sorry Cereal People, you missed out on that adventure). 

After that delicious meal (which I hope you rocked not burned 😛), sit down for a bit, then change into some workout clothes and go for a run, a walk or a bike ride. Whatever you decide, just go out and breathe in the fresh air, pay attention to the world around you, the buildings, the trees and their smell, the people and their noise... We are always rushing; we forget to take in the moments around us and just be present. So, this is your chance.  

If you don’t like running nor walking, and you prefer the gym or a spin class, a swim, or anything, do that. Yoga is also perfect for it’s not just for the body but for the mind, and it’s a really quiet and peaceful exercise. And by the way don’t let its reputation fool you, it is hard and can be an actual workout and get you all sweaty so it's not just meditation if you want it.  

Any kind of physical activity is invited. Try something new. Two years ago, I was bored of all kinds of workouts, and in turn became so lazy, until climbing and bouldering came up. I didn’t know how to climb. I literally had no idea and no knowledge of the techniques, and also knew no one at the bouldering gym. But I went ahead and gave it a try, and have been climbing ever since. It has become my passion and I’m getting better at it with time. Every time I’m learning a new technique, and is constantly challenging. It ended up being fun and a big part of my life.  

Okay I have rambled too much about climbing haha … but the point is, you never know, you might like it. So just give it a try. Anything you end up doing. 

The last for this time, is go out. Call a friend and suggest a drink, a movie or a hang out and just go. Talk, catch up, laugh, make memories, and just be. Try not to use your phone also when being with them and just exist in that moment. Never miss out.  Do something stupid, go to someplace new, explore a new side of your city, maybe stop at an ice-cream shop on the way (ice-cream is never a bad idea). Be present.  

When you get back home, keep half an hour on the side for reading, to finish your self-care routine in the best way. Pick up that book that’s been lying on your table for a while and get into its world. 

Try to do these kind of activities once a week at least. Consider them a weekly ritual, like how you make coffee in the morning (unless you’re a tea person then that’s something else haha) . Mix it up according to what interests you and what brings you calmness. 

Do them in order not to lose track of who you are and your purpose. Take care of yourself and give your mind a break. You need it every other time. 

Until next time friends...

Salam!