How to Find Simplicity in Self-Care
Self-care is and should be simple and sustainable.
Taking care of your body should be simple, but at the same time so many of us just don’t treat our minds and bodies the way we should- myself included- because it seems too complex. It is simply easier to continue living in our routines. Humans are creatures of habit, no matter how spontaneous some of us are. I continuously seek ways to simplify my life and better care for myself. Here are some steps that I take to simplify my life:
Constantly evaluate.
Is your meditation routine too much? Is the bookshelf full of books you want to read overflowing? Are you actually going to use a $200 a month gym? Think about what works and what doesn’t in your self-care routine. Simpler is often better. You don’t need to overburden yourself with logging your mood every ten minutes or complicated yoga accessories unless you think it is necessary. If it makes you happy, keep it in your self-care regimen; but if it is daunting, too much work or not worth it, change how you are doing things.
Detox your space.
Detoxing is not just for diets. Every couple of months, I like to go through my closet, bookshelves, bags, and storage containers in a watered-down Marie Kondo fashion to collect items that no longer have space in my life. Sometimes I will swap clothing or books with friends, but often I fill a bag or two with the items and take them to the local Housing Works to donate. I also make it a sincere mission to only repurchase items that need replacing in an effort to reduce the amount of clutter in my life as well as my carbon footprint. We really don’t need as much as we think we do. You would be amazed with how little you can live with- but I will save that for another blog.
Learn staple recipes.
I used to eat a lot of processed food and meat because it was easier. As I have cut meat almost entirely out of my diet, I have learned a few core veggie recipes. Now that I know how to cook these recipes well, I mix and match with in-season produce from my local farmer’s market. Leafy green kale. Bright red juicy apples. Plump luscious tomatoes. Knowing a few recipes really well has actually given me so much more freedom in the kitchen.
Set attainable goals.
For me, goal setting is the most important aspect of my self-care journey. I struggle with anxiety immensely and short-term goals help me clear the fog. I like to set simple goals that can help me get through my days, weeks and months. I write down the steps I want to take as well as a suggested timeline for those steps. If you want to start lifting more at the gym, write out your workout plan for the upcoming weeks.
Understand what you are working towards.
Think about your goals for your self-care routine. Are you trying to attain something in particular? I want to feel better mentally and physically. I identified what works for me and what doesn’t. By understanding what you want from your routine, you can cut out the parts that don’t help you achieve that goal.