It’s been awhile. I’ve been… well, life-ing, loving, eating, napping, working, bossing up, growing and life-ing some more. Life is life and I consider it grand no matter what. Amid our Covid days, self care has become a top priority for me. Beyond a gym, I’m speaking of mental health here. I’ve intently introduced meditation into my daily routine to help me slow down and BREATHE, amongst other things. I’ve been grieving a lot and I don’t mean your typical grief. I’ve been facing broken parts of myself and doing the work. This has allowed me to stretch and grow in ways I’m still learning to accept and become comfortable. It’s literally good grief. Wait, what? Good grief?! I mean, though uncomfortable at times, I’m happy (and somewhat surprised) that I’m in a space in which I allow myself to explore my thoughts, deeply reflect, and “feel” things at the frequency and levels that I do. I face all the “feels” with an open heart and mind that it’s all temporary (especially the not so fun parts of life) and it’ll pass.
Therefore, I try best to remain present and grateful in all moments. I appreciate every small moment, every beautiful soul I encounter, and notice God’s blessings in the most subtle forms. It could be a butterfly or bird here, a wildflower there, or an unexpected kind gesture from a friend. That said, my broken parts do not define me. In fact, they’ve made me stronger. I’ve become stronger by learning to forgive, opening my heart to accepting differences, and practicing unconditional love, all which were difficult and mildly practiced before. Siri, play “It ain’t nothing to cut a b*tch off.” While I still strongly believe in protecting the very sacred space that is of me, I’ve learned to extend grace, a softness like never before.
Lately, I’ve been intentional about these things (forgiveness, unconditional love, openness) because these acts are forms of pure love and wholeness within oneself. Practicing these acts of love have been both beautiful and tantalizing. Brutal, yet rewarding. Revolting and liberating. Facing self is not easy but it is necessary and only YOU can heal yourself. Triggers from OUR (me, too) broken pieces only remind us of what needs to be healed and again, only WE can heal the brokenness, despite what we desire from others. Whether it’s safety, respect, love, security, or forgiveness, we must give those intangible things to ourselves first. That’s where Self Care EVERY DAY comes in. Here’s how I focus on self-care:
Prayer & Meditation- I begin each day with prayer. Sometimes it’s a simple, “Thank you, God,” simply for being blessed with another day or specific prayers for myself and loved ones. I meditate for a few minutes each day, too. I’m no expert but you can find guided meditations on iTunes or YouTube. Truth be told, I’m still learning techniques but I’m mostly intentional about breathing deeply and gratefully.
Seek a Professional- I am a proponent of seeking professional help when it comes to mental health. It doesn’t just mean you have a problem. It’s actually really healthy to have consistent access to neutral guidance and one who can help you see various prospectives when your judgement is limited or cloudy. Be sure that you and your therapist are a good fit. Everyone has different methods and styles. Make sure your needs are met as a client.
Flowers- I LOVE flowers! My favorites are peonies but I appreciate all the blooms even the wild ones.
Homemade Skincare- I enjoy making creams and scrubs. The process of creating different recipes is more soothing and exciting than actually using them. LOL. Check out my body whip recipe here.
Rose Baths & Bath Bombs- I love LUSH bath bombs! Long baths are soothing… add petals, music, a glass of wine, fruit, and it become heavenly.
Toni Harper’s 50s Jazz, Outkast, & Maverick City Music- Music makes me so happy!
Most importantly, surround yourself with those who lift you higher. Life is extremely short and your tribe impacts your vibe. Make sure you’re surrounded by people with pure hearts who want the absolute best for you. I’m so grateful for genuine loved ones in my life, especially Queens who adjust my crown when needed.
Take care,
Ro’s Little Lady