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

[sbella02]

Clues_of_Blue,

I love creating art, it's a fantastic means of self-expression and self-care. I mainly paint nowadays with acrylic, and I'm just now learning to experiment with oils, but I've always loved drawing with coloured pencils. 

Do you mainly do digital art?

SB

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hey Sbella,

I'm glad you get that satisfaction out of art. It's cool that you paint, are you finding oils very different to acrylic? Coloured pencils are more familiar to me, I have some real fancy ones for my colouring in books.

I'm actually pretty new to digital art, I wanted to try digital painting because it gave that sort of vibe to my art without taking up any space (also I can do it with my birds out, and no-one eats or walks in any paint). I mostly do sketches with graphite pencils, sometimes I ink them with PITT pens (love those things). I've played a bit with pastels, watercolours and charcoal, too. Love how vibrant pastels look on black paper.

Self cares for yesterday/today:

1) Coloured my hair.

2) Played a video game.

3) Meditated.

Blue.

[ecomama]

Hey BB Self-carers, 

I have to ask Blue a question guys... ARE YOU colouring your hair for YOUR WEDDING???? 
I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BLUE!! 

A Bajillion self-care things are happening there I hope? BIG WIDE SMILEY FACE lol. 

Oh come on ... "I'm new to digital art" who are you? Hahaha. 

HAS EVERYONE SEEN BLUES PROFILE PIC? She did that HERSELF! A-mazing. 

Sbella, it's great to have arty folk here. Have you guys seen "Transcend Furniture Gallery" on YT? That sweet lady is a magician lol. I'm glad she doesn't post too much tattoo art, couldn't watch blood. She's generalised her artist talents to make a great living out of Transcending old furniture. 

Eagle Ray, it's a big step for me to do self-care too, hence this thread lol. I had to force myself in a clunky way to think "Oh yeah SELF CARE... umm what will I do?" Stumped. 
Lately I do several things almost automatically like use Micellar water to cleanse my face each morning and night. 

My SC today: 
~ having a rest, 
~ eating well at work today, 
~ asking for help. 
EMxxxx

[Eagle Ray]

1. Bought healthy protein and veg for next 3 meals to cook.

2. Enjoyed watching the golden light on trees followed by dusky colours at sunset.

3. Enjoyed the sound of leaves rustling on trees followed by stillness followed by more rustling and more stillness - kind of like breathing.

[Banksy92]

1. Went to a yoga class after work

2. Dog walk on my lunch break

3. Journaled my feelings

[sbella02]

Clues_Of_Blue,

Unfortunately my oil paints are still sitting in my drawer unused for the moment, but I'm catching up with a friend this Sunday to do some painting so hopefully I'll have an answer for you then! I've heard that they're a lot easier to blend than acrylics though, and that's what drew me to them.

Vibrant pastels on black paper would be magical, I'm quite a fan of high contrast art too. Do you ever enter your work in any competitions or galleries?

My three self-cares for today:

1. Listened to music
2. Did some creative writing
3. Cleaned up my room

SB

[sbella02]

Ecomama,

I haven't seen Transcend Furniture Gallery but thank you for the recommendation, I'll be sure to have a watch later! I love watching art-related content on YouTube, so that sounds like something I would enjoy.

SB

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hi all,

EM, yep, I did colour my hair for our wedding. 🙂 We are now wed, and there has definitely been some related self-care. Also thanks for the vote of confidence re my art. I'm legit new to digital art - fortunately skills from using traditional media are conveniently transferrable, with a little technical know-how to back them up.

Sbella, I hope Sunday goes well, getting started with your oil paints. Interested to hear how you go with blending them. To answer your question, no I haven't entered any of my work in competitions or galleries. It's too personal, I'm too invested - it's something I do for my mental health, and I very carefully pick my audience to share it with. I think commercialising it would undermine the point.

My self care:

1) I think getting married is right up there.

2) Keeping the wedding quiet until after - we didn't want a big fuss or for others to try and take over.

3) Telling LM I wanted him to take my name, too. We're both hyphenating.

Blue.

[ecomama]

Hello self-caring friends! 

HAPPY DAYS Blue! Getting married is a lovely point of self-care lol!!! So sweet you've worked the name thing out, I like it! 

Oh Blue and Sbella, it's so nice to see you sharing your arty stuff 🙂 
Just remember there are ALWAYS critics in the "cheap seats" so only take notice of the people who LOVE you. 
I love you both and your art is FANTASTIC lol. 

Now I realise that there are so many dedicated animal AND pet onion lovers on the forums, PLUS so many creative people too. Wow, that's alot. 

My self-care for today:
~ had a sleep in till 7am, Lordy my life lol, 
~ got rid of 10 MORE bags of stuff just TODAY - yes Blue, you may be proud of me! Oh wise mentor, Mrs Mentor? Bring it back EM lol. For those querying this mystical cryptic talk, Blue has a "Minimalism" Thread and it's great! 

~ Leaf blew the house, instead of vacuuming and having to empty the annoying dust thingy. That stuff went OUT over my almost 3 storey balcony and AWAY into the garden to compost. 

Have or will also: 
~ brushed my teeth
~ brushed my knotty hair and put it up for today
~ will have a nice warm bath tonight. 

Keep up the great self-care everyone, 

Love EM

[Willow Jude]

Today I:

- Slept in

- Journalled

- Booked a doctor's appointment