Self-Care is not just about living in luxury or the guilt-free days spent on retail therapy. It is also about wellness and how we preserve our bodies while maintaining our mental health. As we take incremental steps towards wellness, our self-care measures become more of a practice than a response to make us feel better when overworked and stressed. My journey with self-care started with me being very indulgent, if I’m being honest. I would use the slightest annoyance in my life to buy something I didn’t need or schedule a nonessential appointment in the name of “self-care” Lol. Suddenly, I realized that I needed “self-care” days more frequently. In short, your girl was spiraling out of control, and my bank account noticed it too.

So, I redefined my self-care journey. I started therapy! Yep, bi-weekly soul-baring sessions! Therapy has been the most transformative gift that I could have given myself. I learned to process my thoughts better, and I gained clarity to effectively communicate my needs and desires in every area of my life. I feel more in control than ever before, and I can finally experience contentment in almost every circumstance I encounter! I suggest adding a therapist to your self-care routine. I also highly recommend Sherri “Zu” Gaston of Inner Change, LLC if you need a therapist.

I recently started boot camp-style fitness classes at Passion 4 Fitness as a new self-care initiative to preserve my body and help shed the quarantine weight. Although the journey is challenging, I know the reward will be greater than the silent curse words that I mumble after each rep of a new exercise that leaves me in pain in places that I didn’t know existed. However, I am reminded that self-care is taking steps to tend to my physical and emotional health needs to the best of my ability.

I am also obsessed with skincare, and my most favorite self-care practice lately has been monthly facial and skincare treatments with Najla of the Face Bar Atlanta! She is a gem and very skilled at treating various skin conditions!

Self-Care looks different for everyone; I just shared some of my ways to practice self-care, but it’s entirely up to you to design a method of practice that fits your individual needs. I do believe the key to proper self-care is to have a regular schedule to do it. Before I go, I will leave you with other popular choices for self-care!

• Meditation

• Reading a Book

• Journaling your feelings

• Scheduling quality time with loved ones.

• Massages

• Learning new hobbies like cooking or painting

• Or simply being happy and basking in JOY

Written by Traci Gordon