Keep Self-care Tasks Top of Mind
Shout out to my therapist that suggested that I track my self-care tasks when we started working together. We started with a few fundamental buckets:
Movement - 30 minutes of moving my body in any capacity
Fuel - Eat and hydrate to give my body what it needs
Play - Take moments to have fun, whatever that looks like (read, draw, video games)
Connection - Spend intentional moments connecting with healthy relationships
Sleep - Try to get 8+ hours of sleep each night
Mindfulness - Spending time journalling or quiet moments of meditation
Health care - Regular checkups with a primary care physician and sessions to process with a therapist
Over the years, I have realized that some self-care tasks come more naturally for me than others and I need a little more structure to ensure that I get them done. I am a planner and task master. Give me a list and I will knock each item off the list! Each week, I write down my self-care tasks in my planner with the abbreviation for the days of the week. It is satisfying to see that my hard-work is paying off or point directly to what I need to work on.
In addition, some seasons of my life accommodate these tasks easier than others. It is easier to get in a walk around the neighborhood during the spring and fall, but I just want to hide under a blanket in the winter. It is also easier to read, draw and try new crafts in the winter, when I’m bundled up at home, but it’s tough to fit it into the busy summer schedule.
Recognizing this natural fluctuation, I try to look at at the list and evaluate what needs to stay on the list (needs extra attention) or what can come off the list (because it’s become a habit). It is a habit that I've found to be so helpful in prioritizing the things that fuel my body, heart and mind.
There is something to be said for crossing a task off the list...and a cute notepad helps too! What methods have helped you keep focus on self-care?
