Self-care every day 2019

[mumof2sarah]

Hi everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR

I've not made a resolution as such but I am going to do more for myself in the form of self-care. It doesn't have to be too much or for too long but I want to do something daily. I'd love for you all to try and join me.

Here's a list of some of the things I've got on my list:

Read a chapter of what ever book I'm reading.
Bubble bath.
Meditation.
Walk.
Lunch by myself.
Cup of tea in peace.
Movie and candles.
Music hour.

That's just a few of mine. My aim is daily BUT I'm not going to over push myself where I get annoyed if I don't do it. I will try at least 5/10 days even if it's just a 5 minute meditation or a cup or tea in peace.

Who wants to join me? And what're your favourite ways of self-care?x

Hey all,

I had a good day of self care today, DD and I visited friends for lunch, I ran on my treadmill and had my meal prep for the week delivered so my anxiety about my weight has abated slightly as I know I’m getting some control over it.

@mumof2sara - the book is awesome, I skipped straight to the Renaissance and then contemporary but there’s so much packed in there and the history is great. Definitely recommend it. Sorry you had another restless night, I did too. I woke up today feeling anxious. I’m better this evening.

@8fencing - I’m thinking of going back to therapy - CBt would probably be good for me. The current therapist I’m seeing I often have to call as I’m rarely in the same location as her and would be good to find someone who I can talk face to face with.

Signing up a fitness course tomorrow where I can take the baby so I’m very excited about that.

Yesterday's sled cats was a long walk to visit family. The canal is lovely this time of year.

I have received some new pens so I will be colouring for a while as I can't sleep.

The house is tidy and I'm up to date with laundry so I feel like I can take some time out to sit down and relax without worrying about the housework.

Sled cats?????? Self care!!!!

I need to start proof reading BEFORE I post

I didn’t manage to do much for myself yesterday. I’m sitting with a coffee now trying to start my morning. The children are back to school today so I need to catch up with lots of housework. I’m still packing the Christmas things away and I need to make a trip to my storage unit. Today I’ll try to read for half an hour.

Swim, jacuzzi and mega quick sauna and steam. I do it most Tuesdays with a friend. Lovely, but we go first thing and I feel so chilled afterwards I could sleep all day. Better crack on with work now!

Bike ride along the coast this morning with friends, stopped for cappuccino and cake, then we cycled home - it was a lovely few hours, I really enjoyed it.

I have 3 big fat paperbacks that were Christmas presents, and I intend to sit by the fire and start reading Did you see Melody? by Sophie Hannah tonight.

Hi @Lavenderdays sounds like some wonderful ideas there I hope you manage to get them done :) xx

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie hope you enjoyed your bath last night and works not been as busy today xx

@8FencingWire I see a CBT councillor once a fortnight, today being a session, but I spent the whole of it crying through tiredness so we need to get back on track with it. We spoke about the breathing in for 4, hold for 2, out for 6 thing today so going to try that this evening xx

@Didsomeonesaybunny Sounds like you had a nice day yesterday and that fitness class sounds brilliant xx

@VanillaSugarCookies I wish my house was tidy ha ha. I need to get back to following tomm and do a bootcamp I think. I love walking along the Canal always so peaceful. Hope you've had a lovely day today aswell xx

@Candymay Sorry you didn't get any time yesterday, but unfortunately it is going to happen, our way should be "oh well we didn't today, but we did yesterday and we will tomorrow". Hope you got some reading time lovely xx

@OneStepMoreFun Sounds lovely :) hope you've managed the day without falling asleep lol xx

@LuckyLou7 I'm so very jealous. That sounds so lovely xx

I'm about to run a nice bubble bath and relax with my book for a bit before bed. Sending lots of love to everyone. Sorry I've been quiet. The sleep deprivation and the back to schoool routine has just been a bit hectic and needed a reset I think xx

@mumof - hope you were able to chill out and relax. My self care was attending the fitness class. It was cardio based and I can feel my muscles aching. I feel better having done it though.

I’m enjoying low fat yoghurt and fruit whilst my DD is fast asleep (for how long who knows she’s a teething 3 month old!)

@Didsomeonesaybunny I did enjoy my little bath chill, just going to do some breathing exercises before I settle down I think. They say if your aching you did it right. Well done for getting up and going, more determination than me. Hope little one is ok and teeth don't cause too much issues xx

Not a great day today, health-wise, and quite a lot to do work-wise, so not a lot of self-care has gone on today, unfortunately. I did manage to eat some vegetables and drink some water though, so I'll count those as a small success!

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie awww am so sorry it's been like that today, but well done with the veggies and the water, those little things make a big difference. Sending you lots of love in the hope tomorrow is a new and better day

Thanks, Sarah. Much better today! Hope you've had a good day.

Self care so far has involved lots of fruit, a salad and a bath with Neals Yard bubbles (which I only use at the weekends normally, as they are £££!). I'm having a night off doing any work, and will be watching "The Undateables" later.

It's gone a bit quiet on here, but I hope others keep using this thread. I'm finding it really useful as a way of stepping back and thinking nice thoughts for a few minutes every day!

Hi @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie Ive actually spent time reading today, it was so nice, I feel like I've not done it in ages. I'll still be here and using it so please stay I don't want to let it go :( it's really helping me xxx

Lovely reading this thread! I have 5 small DDs including new baby and I definitely feel that I have no time for me lately. Always on the go. After reading this thread I’ve started reading again every night in bed so thank you all for that. Nothing better than a good book.

@LeonoraFlorence awww that's made me happy, I'm so glad we've helped and you're having that time. Sending lots of love xx

It is great to be thinking of positive things we can do to look after ourselves for a change. Some of these things are fairly easy to implement such as reading in bed before sleep, which is something I have started to do again. Often women can put the needs of others first, so it is a positive thing to do to think, hang on a minute what can I do for myself - it is something that I'm not particularly good at. I'm getting lots of inspiration from this thread...I remember owning a bottle of Neals yard bath oil once, in the dim and distant past; it was wonderful and helped me to sleep so I might well treat myself to a bottle in the near future (with the cash that I have saved from not drinking wine over the past few weeks).

Hi. I'd love to join in. I'm trying to get better at looking after myself since everyone in the house suffers when I do. I'm a SAHM & home educator to three little ones so rarely get time to myself.

Today was too hard so I've left my husband to do everything this evening. I'm watching TV and enjoying some treats. I do need to remind myself, though, that a whole bag of crisps isn't a great idea.

Lavender - great idea to put money saved from wine into the purchase of a lovely bubble bath!

@Lavenderdays love that idea of saving money, I've never used neals yard but heard a lot about it so may treat myself too xx

Hi @GrouchyKiwi and welcome. Sorry you've had such a busy day but well done and stepping aside and taking that time. I hope you can keep it up. FYI it's always a good idea to eat the crisps ;) xx

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie thank you for always being here and being a huge part of this :D sending you lots of love and hope you're enjoying your evening xxx

Remus - love Neals yard but yes must be used sparingly. I also really like Aesop as a treat when having a soak.

Lavender - agreed I’m going to start reading again. I used to devour at least a book a week but since I’ve bwen suffering from anxiety I’ve struggled to focus.

mumof - what are you reading if you don’t mind me asking?

I’ve had a really indulgent day of self care, took my DD to baby massage and managed a run on my treadmill. I was taken to lunch by my lovely boyfriend and he arranged childcare so that we could go out and have dinner so I feel very lucky today. It’s been so manic that I’ve hardly had time to look at my art book so will make time tomorrow as I am loving it so far.

Still around and enjoying seeing what everyone is doing for themselves - has just been a busier week at work!

I’m still reading, have completed another book and really enjoying making that time for myself just before bed.

I’ve also hugely reduced my screen time. I’ve cut down from something obscene like 6 hours per day to under 3. Going to try and get it down further, but not having social media is actually lovely.

I’ve been using some skincare stuff I had lying around and it’s making me look brighter. This weekend, I’m going to sort out my toiletries and get rid of anything too old etc.

I’m enjoying the healthier eating too, down 4 lbs although aware it will be water weight - nice to not feel as bloated though!

Have a wonderful day!

@Didsomeonesaybunny sounds like you had a lovely day :) the book I'm reading is actually a chick lit milly Johnson book called the mother of all christmas' I prefer chick lit because I find them such an easier read. Have a lovely day xxx

Morning @YahBasic sounds like you're doing amazing :) super happy for you, it's so lovely hearing all these self-care routines that people are doing. Hope you have another wonderful day xxx

Thanks mumof2. I did enjoy the crisps.

Our dishwasher has broken so I've spent the morning hunting for insurance documents only to discover that we cancelled it last year. Dammit. So dishes by hand for a while till we can get an engineer in to fix it. And the hunt for documents has meant that I had to go through all of our filing so this afternoon's job is to redo it all. What fun that will be. The children will spend the day watching TV.

BUT! I've been meaning to do this for ages, so in a way it will be self-care in that I'll feel excellent once it's done.

@GrouchyKiwi sometimes a sort out is the best sort of self-care x

Yoga today. And, best of all, since I worked from 7.30 am to 10pm last night, I awarded myself an afternoon off today, even though work is very busy right now. I have cat, cup of tea and a notebook open. Bliss.

mumof2sarah I feel for you, spending all your CBT session crying with tiredness. God I remember those days. Are your DC young? It will pass. Though it feels interminable.