Do You Really Care? (Self-Care.)

What have you done today that involved you taking care of yourself?

Self care is a critical need not just a want if you ask me. It is a pivotal thing to take care of you every single day! You cannot pure from a empty cup, always remember that. It is close to impossible to be good for everyone else if you’re not good for yourself. You have to be good so that your family can be good. So yes, mommas you need to take time for yourself in some way shape, form, or fashion as well. Tune into yourself. We all at some point have to hit the restart button. That way were aren’t walking around taking our indiscretions and dysfunctions out on people, and the wrong people at that. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by the smallest thangs if you don’t deal with it by taking care of you. Day to day routines can be repetitively exhausting. And before you know it, the smallest thangs if not everythang got you exploding. Your temperament can become slight when it comes to your children, spouse, friends, or who eva. And now you done opened a whole new can of worms. When all you needed was a nice ole bubble bath Chile.

Simple things.

So! I would like to personally share with you some of the thangs that I do to love up on me, and show myself a little TLC and what not. Ya know, just a few thangs that give me something to look forward to. I like to keep a few thangs in my bag. Especially on those rough days. There is no order of favoritism here. Just know that all five are must haves Chile.

1. A spanking brand new journal! Yes Chile. I love, love fresh paper to write all my prayers, goals, To-Do list, and emotions down on. I even have journals for my daughters that I write in so when they get older they can read it. I started with my oldest when I was pregnant with her. So, I wanted to start writing in this little ones journal while I’m pregnant with her too. I love a cute ole journal. And if I’m feeling really spunky, I may get me a fresh pack of colorful pens or whateva too. Oh yeah, I’m big on planners! It’s nothing like organization and keeping up with things. I vigorously believe that journaling is just right for the soul honey Chile. I really do. I think you should try it if you haven’t already. I promise it will help you more than it will hurt you.
2. Ain’t nothing like a good ole bubble bath tuh me! Or even a shower! (That’s where I hold my concerts.) I enjoy the heck out of both. However, a bubble bath can be a bit more therapeutic mentally and physically. Depending on the mood of the day I may listen to my playlist while I soak. I may read a book, or listen to T.D. Jakes sermon on YouTube or a motivational speech. Or, I may just take in the peace and quiet while I pray, meditate, and become one with myself. Marshall’s, Ulta Beauty, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods (my favorite store.) is a few places I get my bath amenities from. I’m sooo serious about my bath time. I don’t play. I love a clean, fresh feeling before I hit the sheets. Plus, it makes me sleep like a baby.
3. A good ole face mask in the morning and night is a must for me. When my skin is pampered and feeling fresh I feel so free. Free indeed! I know this may sound a little far fetched and crazy to some, but Chile if I’m lying I’m flying. When my skin feels all tight and dry I can get a little aggy. If I miss a beat when it comes to this here nose area around the creases, I be looking scaly. And that my friend ain’t cute!
4. Now if you know you know! I gots to get my fill-in and pedicure Chile. I love to have my nails and toes done. I start to think about my next gel color about three or four days before I even make my nail appointment. I always look forward to getting my nails done, always! I enjoy getting pampered every three weeks. Now if you can’t necessarily afford to get your nails done every three weeks or once a month. DON’T CUT YOURSELF SHORT! I am aware that it can be costly, especially on a regular basis. But listen! You can pamper yourself in your own living room and it feel just as good. I soak my feet at home sometimes. Yep, I sho do. Especially with me being all barefoot and pregnant these days. Think about it, we easily spend money on snacks and so many other miscellaneous things day in and day out. Take a little something, something and invest in yourself. Remember, simple pleasures are life treasures!
5. And last BUT not least! A good ole book! I love a good read. I am definitely a bookworm. I am currently reading three books right now. I love a fresh paperback or hardback book to put me to sleep some nights. I’m always reading a pleasure book as I like to call it. Meaning, a fictional book. Ain’t nothing like a juicy, page turning story. Whew Chile! I will always have a spiritual book to feed my soul. Which is always a T.D. Jakes or Joyce Myers book. And then, I also like to read a educational, fundamental book of some sort. Ya know, to feed this here brain. I’ve been hitting up Amazon a lot these days. I miss the days when I would drive 15 minutes and spend hours in Barnes & Nobles. Ugh. (Life in the desert doesn’t come with certain things.) Oh yeah, I don’t do audio books, or eBooks. I love the physical touch of the actual book. Trust me, any bookworm would tell you that.

It is very essential to take care of yourself. Even in the smallest ways. Feed your soul. Do things that make you feel good. Walking around your neighborhood/track, working out, or watching one of your favorite movies or tv shows while scarfing down your favorite snack.

I’ve learned in the past few years to be content. To not be so fixated and focused on what I don’t have, yet. Instead, I will choose to focus on and be thankful for what I do have and what I have already accomplished. Whew Chile, the peace of mind I have gained from simply changing my perspective. When 2019 got here I had a long list of thangs that I wanted to accomplish this year. Thangs pertaining to my blog, Pinterest, college, and a whole slew of other thangs I have up my sleeve. (Tsk. Tsk.) AND BOOM! I find out I’m pregnant like the first week of February. The start of the year! I became sick instantly. I was man down for three months straight. No let up. I knew majority of the thangs I had wrote down would not get checked off my list. Not how I thought they would anyways. I can’t even lie. As ecstatic as I am to be pregnant. I was bummed out at the set back of my to do list at first. But then I realized that thangs were exactly the way that they were suppose to be. I had been blessed with a ongoing prayer. What really meant more to me? I prayed on hands and knees for this pregnancy. Being pregnant didn’t mean everything that I had going on was going to stop. It just means that thangs will be moving a tad bit slower, and for a good reason at that. Grateful for where I’m at. Excited about where I’m going.

I’m content.

NOW! I want a baecation like yesterday. More like a hour ago. My husband and me somewhere on a island soaking up the clear blue waters, while feeling up on each others tan lines, soaking each other all the way up. Ugh, one day soon. But for now, that is not what’s happening. However, our late night date nights right at home will satisfy. And I’m so good with that, because the day that I don’t have that would break my heart.

Perspective.

Find pleasure in the simple thangs. I do believe that less can be more. If you like drinking coffee in the mornings invest in the cutest coffee mug to sip on while you get ready for work or whateva. Open up your curtains and light you a candle to start your day. Take a room, corner, space, or area in your house that is strictly yours. Make it you! Surround yourself with cute odds and ends that sum up you. Get organized and situated. Some of ya’ll probably are overwhelmed because you’re surrounded by clutter, literally. Listen to a motivational podcast first thang in the morning instead of clicking on social media. Yes, that is a form of taking care of yourself. It’s hard to think negative when you constantly feed yourself faith, hope, and positivity. Feed your soul good thangs instead of the bull crap. Tune out of everyone else’s life and tune into yours. Fall into a routine of self. Prioritize in thangs that matter. Just get a little selfish, shoot. Become a yes man to your dog on self instead of everyone else from time to time. If not all the time depending on who it is. (Rolls neck.) Heck, start saying no when you want to too! That also is a form of self care. And watch you feel a weight being lifted up off your shoulders. That way you don’t find dread in doing things, going places, or dealing with certain people just to make someone else happy. Meanwhile you miserable as hell. You better check yourself before you wreck yourself! I’m Just Saying…

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

A few weeks ago I was laying in bed right (which has been a thang here lately, third trimester is weighing me down.) and before I knew it I had been on Instagram for almost over a hour. Like what! Not cool. Not for me anyways. Me scrolling Instagram for a hour or more is not doing anything constructive for my life. There are so many other things that I could have been doing that would be beneficial for me. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything but you. And that! Ain’t good.

I know for me personally, if I get off track for even a few days I feel overwhelmed and out of place. Like, if I skip a beat or two of reading or journaling I just feel lopsided.

Consistency.

Alright now! Before I wrap this thang here on up. Here are a few small thangs (that can be BIG thangs.) that can bring you some, some type of solace and laughter.

. Buy yourself some flowers. I mean why not, right?!

. Grab something from the store that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

. Go get your hair did.

. De-clutter your closet or any other space in your house. Then decorate!

. Sing in the car or shower at the top of your lungs to your favorite songs.

. I dare you to dance around your house butt, bald, naked. Be free!

. You know what, have yourself a good ole cry.

. End toxic relationships!

. But most importantly, FORGIVE YOURSELF.

I’m Just Saying…

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