Hello dear reader, it’s been a while! The busyness of summer is coming to an end, and the busyness of back to school is in full swing! This is the first September in 21 years that I am not heading back to school, and I have to admit, it’s odd. Normally, back to school forces us into a new routine – we must change our schedules, re-evaluate habits, and set goals for the new (school) year. So, even though I’m not headed back to school, I am taking stock of my habits, re-affirming my goals, and taking time to invest in my best self!
Last time, Jen talked about two of the cornerstones of self-care – diet and exercise. These are two forms of what is sometimes called “active self-care” – things that we must actively choose to do and commit to, in order to take care of our mental and physical health. Healthy meals will not magically appear on your plate, and exercise requires consistent investments of time and effort. These two pieces are something I have struggled with over the years, but this month I am finding a renewed energy, giving just a little bit more in each workout, and being more conscious of what I fuel my body with.
In the age of Instagram, #selfcare has been co opted and commercialized, especially for us women. We are sold green smoothies and early morning yoga classes, bath bombs and fancy face masks – always enticed to splurge in the name of treating ourselves. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love carving out time for some intentional and luxurious skin care, and I had a green smoothie earlier today. But don’t let the 19.3 million instagram #selfcare posts fool you – self-care needn’t be glamorous. Sometimes it looks like throwing on those old workout clothes and dragging your butt to the gym with smoothie in hand, and sometimes its a baggy sweater, a glass of wine, and Netflix with your favourite person.
Above all else, listen to yourself and your body, and trust that it knows what it needs – be that stricter routines, or a relaxation of the rules. You are the only person who can define what kind of self-care you need to engage in each day – but please dear reader, take care of yourself.
The Joyful Gingers 