Three self-care things you did today!

[ecomama]

We can do it BBers, we can do self-care.

Sleepy21 pointed out research that shows self-care REALLY helps!

Please share what you do for self-care so we can get inspiration, ideas and motivation to do it too.

Best wishes
EM

[Eagle Ray]

Thanks ecomama for this thread as it helps me focus on self-care, both to remember to do it and to realise when I have done it and haven’t even really recognised it. It’s something I’m slowly getting better at. For today:

1. Made an appointment for a second medical opinion when my intuition told me the first given is off the mark (getting better at following my own instincts based on my own research and sensing what is wise and sensible).

2. Went to the ocean and sat on a favourite rock - always brings peace.

3. Starting to make plans about things I really want to do for myself (have spent so much energy in life taking care of others, but finally learning that I can choose to prioritise my own needs and interests).

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hi all, I like the stuff I'm seeing on here, you're doing a great job. Stopping in here myself to at least sometimes be accountable for my own progress.

1) Have been keeping my habit of lighting a candle and reading my book for a bit when I go to bed.

2) Finally got a screen filter app for my phone, so the screen isn't blindingly bright when I'm reading digital books in bed (when I know I'm too tired not to doze off with the candle burning but I'm also too awake to keep my mind quiet and just go to sleep without reading).

3) Spent some of my tax return on a programme for making digital art, not just on bills - a decision entirely based on looking after my mental well-being.

Blue.

[ecomama]

OH WOW Eagle Ray, what an amazing post to read!!! (Thankyou for thanking me but I'm just one drop in the ocean.. more on that pun for you later lol... it's EVERYONE who posts that makes it so RICH with ideas for us)... 

I am wowing about this sentence of yours.. wow... wow some more... hold on, I'll get there lol... 
"to realise when I have done it (self-care) and haven’t even really recognised it"
WOW!!
You know what this means, right? It means you have made HABITS of self-care! 

You've made my day Eagle Ray. I love everyone's self-care they share here... the sitting on a rock and watching the ocean, what a beautiful image. 

BLUE! WOW lol! I LOVE that you've bought a digital art program! I'm so impressed, that's a beautiful thing to do for yourself. THANK YOU for sharing your self-care, I hope you can spend lots of peaceful moments enjoying your art. xxxx 

I've got nothing to add lol... except for my own self-care. 

Today
~ I was open and honest about the reasons behind some data results for our workplace that I've supervised (that I KNEW would come out & have tried to warn my bosses about for ummm YEARS)... that's a can of worms! 

~ used all the techniques I know of to settle some triggers this week (of a personal nature not work lol)
~ re-arranged my "planned budget" this week to take lessen the pressure on me somewhat. 

Onwards and UPwards BB self-carers! I'm amazed at people's focus and progress. 
Love EM

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Thanks, EM. Also agree with your response to Eagle Ray (that said, I can relate to sometimes not recognising a thing as self-care until later).

I got Clip Studio Paint, which is used by some professional artists. Not even that expensive - I was considering Photoshop, but wow, huge pricetag and a monthly subscription? They're getting way too greedy. I had a free programme, but whilst it had great features and I made some good stuff on it (including my profile pic), it was really cumbersome to use. Wish I could post pictures on here to show you. Have made do with sticking one on my blog. Anyway, to self-care:

1) Worked out how to pare down how many places to go to for the stuff I had to get, today, and made the decision to tackle anything not 100% essential when I didn't feel up to continuing with the errand run.

2) Left off on the disheswashingcooking roundabout to do some less typical jobs that I actually wanted to do and that wouldn't leave me feeling like I accomplished nothing like I do when I'm just chasing my tail with the same three basic jobs over and over.

3) ...The night isn't over, I'll come up with something.

Blue.

[ecomama]

Wow Blue, I didn't know you created your Profile pic yourself! 
I honestly thought it was from a Picture Book of some type. It's absolutely beautiful!

You have a real talent there! 

NB: When all else fails to think of a 3rd self-care thing, I often post "came onto the forums" hahaha. 

Cheating I know but I include it. 

Love EM 

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Aw, thanks EM. I was experimenting with some brushes, happy with how it came out.

Ah, secrets revealed. I came up with a third thing, managed to play a video game for a bit. I have some hopes of doing more today, or something creative with LM. 🙂

[sbella02]

Clues_of_blue, a screen filter app is genius, I think I need one of those! What's the app called?

It's awesome to read about your digital art endeavours too. I'm a fellow artist, so I can appreciate how much time and effort it takes to source great resources to produce art. 

As for self-care things, these have been mine today:

1. Spent some time on Beyond Blue reading through posts (very therapeutic)
2. Listened to ASMR
3. Spent some time with the cats

[ecomama]

Hi Blue and sbella, I am in awe of the dedication artists show. I watched an interview with Mirka Mora, such dedication and gorgeous art! 

Wonderful that you can help each other learn more about ways to create art. 

Love that it's part of your self-care and all your others too! 

Mine today: 
~ forced a sleep in till 8am. It's my day off and I have to discipline myself to "let myself" do this when I'm tired 🙂

~ I stopped working at home to come on to the forums for possibly the only few minutes I'll have to do this today - this isn't a cheating point lol! It's REAL! 

~ said No to a suggestion from a relative which would commit more money to something I don't "need". 

I enjoy listening to YT episodes of all sorts which keeps me company whilst doing all the catch up property and house work any time. Love them. 

Will try to fit more self-care moments in today. 

EMxxxx

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hi all,

Good self care, guys.

Sbella, the app I have is called Screen Filter (imaginative, I know). It works fine on my phone but it's worth noting it's an old app that hasn't been updated in years & reviews say it doesn't work so well on newer models. If it doesn't work for you, I'm sure Google can steer you toward one that does, there are a handful of them to choose from. Also, cool that you're arty, too. What sort of stuff do you create? Do you think of it as self care?

EM, I'm only an amateur having some fun where art is concerned, but it does me so much good. Interesting fact, if you didn't see my mention of it in my thread about Sir Pecks, I have aphantasia - which means I can't visualise things, no "mind's eye" at all. There are some professional artists that have it as well. Creativity finds a way around pretty much anything.

My self care for today:

1) Went out in the sun before breakfast.

2) Night walk in the forest.

3) Meditated in the car, away from the distractions/stresses at home.

Blue.

[Eagle Ray]

Thanks EM!

Yes it’s a big step for me to actually be making self-care a habit - more automated instead of having to consciously remind myself to do it (though the latter still happens too).

Today it’s simple:

1. A walk.

2. Cup of tea.

3. About to read my book before bed.