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

[mmMekitty]

Hello everybody

It's wonderful to see such a great lot of self-care going on out there in BB Land! I am proud of you all.

My self-care today begins at the end, with me giving myself a nudge to appreciate my self-care for today. It may not always be that I do thiings as I would like, but the fact is I do get some things done anyway.

I woke earlier than I wanted, but I didn't wake so late as to make me late for an early start. I was ready to leave for my two hospital appointments on time.

Had breakfast too, because I was so early getting up.

I had enough courage to ask the Physiotherapist my questions, even while feeling they were 'silly' questions. I put aside the fear of my questions & me being so judged to ask for the info I need.

& guess what? The Physiotherapist behaved professionally, respectlfully answered my questions, & made sure I understood her instructions & answers. I felt that was a good meeting I had with her.

The day wasn't done, so only now as I write, I reflect & feel good about asking those questions I've had on my mind for some month now.

mmMekitty

[quirkywords]

Self care

 Being in the moment with young children blowing bubbles

trying to stand up for myself

trying cut down on saying sorry

[Eagle Ray]

Dear mmMeKitty

I very much relate to what you say about achieving the self-care you’ve managed to do even if you didn’t get to do everything you would like. I’m learning to appreciate what I have done but not worry about what I haven’t, whereas previously I’d be down on myself about what I didn’t get done. I’m feeling much more peaceful about these things now.

 I relate about asking health professionals questions too. I’ve had fear based on past experiences but as I’ve gradually found good people in the health care field I’m feeling more confident engaging with them. I’m so glad you had a good experience with the physiotherapist 🙂

My self-care:

1. Slept in a lot. I slept for 11 hours straight. My body is in deep level recovery as I’ve really let go of so much trauma from my nervous system. I’m letting my body sleep as I know it needs it and is really beneficial right now.

2. Went for a beautiful swim in the ocean.

3. Decided on a nutritious dinner that was easy to prepare.

[sbella02]

Eagle Ray, I'm very jealous of your 11 hour sleep, and I'm so glad to hear that you're allowing yourself to rest and recover. mmMekitty, I'm proud of you for asserting yourself more in social situations, what a fantastic feat. Quirky, standing up for yourself is always an incredible achievement.

My self-care activities:

1. Wearing shoes with better support for my poor blistered feet
2. Buying a book for myself
3. Dedicating time to skincare

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Quirky, just seeing your post now. I love “being in the moment with young children blowing bubbles”. Children remind us of hope and wonder and what really matters in the world. I feel like a lot of our own worries dissipate after spending time with young children and get replaced with the sense of wonder and magic that they have. It’s so good for the soul.

Sbella, dedicating time to skincare reminds me of what I need to do. I’ve realised in recent months how much I’ve aged in the last few years, I’m sure much of it stress-related. It can be a very self-nurturing thing to practice skincare.

Too early in the day for me to post self-cares. Just wanted to acknowledge your lovely ones.

[Eagle Ray]

1. Did some less demanding gardening tasks instead of the more strenuous ones I planned. I could feel my body wasn’t up to it and learning to listen to my body instead of pushing through.

2. Went for a gentle walk, again listening to my body today as gentle was all I felt up to.

3. Cooked a healthy meal with enough left over for tomorrow night.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hi all,

You guys are all working hard on your self care, it's comforting to see. Eagle Ray, I'm struggling to catch more than the gist of what's been said recently, but noticing words like grief and trauma in your posts - sending a hug (if you would like one).

My self cares:

- Stepping back a lot from social media - using focus mode on my phone, limiting e-mail and indeed these forums. Feeling too much pressure to be coherent, so letting you all know I'm still here but may be mostly quiet for a while.

- Gave myself permission to stop trying to "help" myself by using services that require phone calls and brief appointments for anything short of repeat scripts and emergencies, as these things are doing far more harm than good.

- Forest walk. Nobody else there, could talk to myself and let stuff out, and be present with nature. Felt kind of safe, for once (in terms of not having responsibilities pressing in on me or having random humans present).

Kind thoughts to you all,

Blue.

[Eagle Ray]

Thank you Blue. A hug back to you too (also if would like one).

 I had a rough patch again recently but then released a huge amount of trauma stuff and generally feeling much better. Except exhausted as my body relinquishes stress that was trapped for a long time. So finding I’m sleeping and resting a lot.

 I completely understand the stepping back from any pressure to be coherent etc. I’m really in a letting go phase myself and finding periods of relinquishing all pressure on myself is absolutely necessary. I’m sure if it’s what you feel you need it’s exactly what you need. It’s so good to take pressure off yourself and also know you don’t always have to persevere with appointments etc when the best medicine might be time alone immersed in nature as you describe. It’s so good to just let go and just be sometimes.

For me today:

1. Started sorting some boxes I left unopened since I moved because I simply couldn’t deal with them. It’s a good sign I feel able to start this, even though it’s still a bit overwhelming. Learning to relinquish the overwhelm and just stay present with each item I need to make decisions about (e.g. keep/donate/recycle/throw out etc).

2. Postponed a strenuous gardening task again as it’s been very humid weather and not feeling comfortable for lots of exertion. I think early tomorrow morning will be better.

3. Had lunch out at the local bakery that also makes good sushi. Ate the sushi with a nice cup of coffee while enjoying the view from the attached cafe area.

[Eagle Ray]

1. Dug plants out of large, concrete pots. They were struggling where they were and grass had grown through and was entangling them. It was strenuous but I got through it and had a sense of achievement. I’m going to put in some hardy local native flowering plants that will hopefully attract local birds and butterflies.

2. Continued search for work I can do within my health limitations. Found something that I think is manageable for me and will apply for it.

3. Made a simple dinner of baked chicken and sweet potato, one of my favourite simple things to do.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Thanks Eagle Ray. I do believe I would like a hug. 😊

I'm glad you're coming out the other side of that rough patch. You sure do need a lot of rest/sleep when you've been working through trauma, it's hard yakka. In a bit of a similar space myself, hence the stepping back and giving myself some space to get some energy back. Thank you for those really validating words about where I'm at with appointments and things. Oh, and fantastic work with minimising and knowing your limits with that garden work. Laughed at you having sushi with coffee, it's not a typical combination, but I do it often and my loved ones have followed me into the habit. 😁

My self cares:

- Asked for help with some paperwork. Hubby initiated the call because nope, and in the course of discussing why it was difficult we discovered our friend (whom we had met in a professional capacity, and our paperwork was related to her work) also has ASD and understood exactly what I'm dealing with. The conversation ended up being really validating.

- Have been getting better at advocating for myself and setting boundaries in the few areas I have struggled with it. This is still hard mainly because I often process the breach well after it has happened and in the moment kind of hunker down and just "get through" the conversation. It really helps knowing about autism and the things that go with it, as I had no framework for understanding my own struggles and what my boundaries needed to be and how to advocate for them.

- Slept in real late. I needed it!

- Time with hubby and our little bird.