These Self-Care Habits Have Changed My Life

How well are you taking care of yourself? When was the last time you recharged and prioritized your needs?

It's taken me years to realize that the most important relationship (aside from my relationship with God) is with myself. How you treat yourself is how you will allow other people to treat you.

Don't let insecurities, self-doubt or self-neglect become your reality. It'll take work, but you will be able to show up as your best self once you commit to self-care. Here are some self-care practices that have changed my life, and will hopefully change yours, too.

Self-Care Habits That Have Changed My Life

Spending Time Alone

In the words of Chloe x Halle, "it don't have to be lonely being alone." If you always feel the need to be around people, you probably aren't connected to your self-concept.

Who are you when you don't feel pressured to please others or conform to societal standards? What truly brings you joy? You won't get these answers unless you're comfortable in your solitude.

Practicing Self-Affirming Thoughts

When you have a negative thought (catastrophizing, putting yourself down, etc.) counteract it with a positive affirmation. For example, in the past, I would always think to myself "No one will like my writing or even pay attention to it. I'm not talented enough for anyone to care."

A lot of our negative thoughts are simply not true. Something I'd say to counteract that untruth would be, "I'm trying my best and doing what I love, which is fulfilling in itself. I appreciate my hard work and give myself permission to release what others think of me."

Finding an Outlet

When I'm feeling stressed or I'm struggling to process my emotions, I write. I don't think about what I'm writing in the moment; I just let my feelings flow onto the paper.

I then go back and read everything from an objective viewpoint. I connect the dots to find the causes and solutions to my dilemmas. When I'm done, I feel lighter and more confident.

Of course, if writing isn't your thing, there's a plethora of other options that can help relieve stress. Try talking to friends, family, or a significant other. If the matter is private, record a voice note on your phone and listen to it later. You gotta let it out!

Diving Into My Passion(s)

This one can be difficult depending on your time commitments and/or work schedule. Writing this blog is one of my passions, and luckily, I can write from pretty much anywhere.

I also love dancing, so once I find some classes that fit into my schedule, y'all better watch out!

Find something that works for you and makes you happy! It should add to your purpose and make you feel accomplished (however that looks/feels for you).

Unplugging

Y'all, it's not healthy for us to receive and digest so much information at once. Social media can inevitably lead to self-comparison, unrealistic expectations, and anxiety/depression.

If you begin to feel overwhelmed due to constant internet use, take a break. The celebrity news, trends, and posts will still be there when you come back. Use the time that you'd normally spend scrolling to feed your body. Read, exercise, cook, or hang out with loved ones!

Getting Outside

Sometimes you just need to touch some grass. When the weather permits, I like to go on walks. I'll even bring my headphones and listen to an upbeat playlist for some extra razzle dazzle.

However, it also feels amazing to enjoy the sounds of nature when I'm out and about. It reminds me that the world is so much bigger than me and my worries.

Romanticizing My Life

This one requires you to be a tad delulu (delusional), but that's okay! To me, romanticizing my life is to think of my life as a movie, and I'm the main character. If I go grab some coffee, I'm gonna sip it slowly as I look off into the distance, feeling grateful that I had $5 for said coffee.

If I'm running last minute errands, I'm gonna be fabulously distressed as I put my groceries onto the conveyor belt, thanking the cashier for their help. Everything is an event, from waking up to going to bed at night.

Yes, I know, this sounds ridiculous. But I've found that it helps me to be more present and grateful in each moment. Be extra, it's your life to live!

Getting Good Sleep

I'm actually super excited to talk about this because I've discovered something new! So we've all heard of white noise, right? Well, there's also pink noise and brown noise. Whaaaatttt?! Lemme give you the tea!

Brown noise, understandably, has a deeper element to it. It reminds me of the sound you'd hear while napping on a plane (without the anxiety-inducing turbulence). Pink noise is a mix of white noise and brown noise. I always wake up feeling well-rested when I listen to them, so give 'em a try!

Did Any of This Help?

I hope y'all found my tips and experiences to be helpful! What self-care practices do you enjoy? Let me know in the comments. Also, head over to my IG: @simplychasney for new content!

Blessed and Kept,

Chasney