7 Unexpected Intentional Forms of Self-Care

In honor of International Day of Self-Care I thought it would be fitting to make my triumphant return to The Proper Seal blog since we all know I am obsessed with all things self-care!

In all seriousness, I wanted to start by saying thank you to all of you who stuck around while I took a much needed sabbatical. This time away has been exciting yet challenging, full of professional achievements, and personal growth. If I’ve learned anything from my gal Taylor Swift, “I can do it with a broken heart.”  In the past 6 months alone, I found more strength in myself than I ever knew I had and I have part of my newly established self-care habits (plus my hubby and family/friends) to thank for that. 

This past year has been incredibly transformative for me. With every professional and personal experience I’ve gone through, I’ve had the opportunity for reflection and redirection. These moments had me questioning old habits and if they were truly serving me. As women we feel we have this giant responsibility to be a good partner, friend, daughter, sister, employee, etc. We can’t best serve those around us when our cups are already overflowing. Ladies, does that statement ring true for you?!?

Feeling completely overwhelmed with a million tabs open in my brain at any given time wasn’t giving me “boss babe” vibes. I once was proud to say “I could do it all” but for what? It’s not like I was receiving a trophy for doing the most. It wasn’t until my personal life took center stage for me to really realize what was most important. 

In order for me to completely rewire my brain and take better care of myself mentally, physically and emotionally, I needed to really assess my self-care routine. Yes, I’m a lover of a nice bubble bath, face masks, a fresh mani, and bed rotting but for me, these little things were band-aids on bigger issues. Don’t get me wrong, all of those things are still very important components in my self-care routine but I’ve really tried to be more intentional with how I’m filling my cup these days.

With that being said, let’s take a deeper dive into more intentional self-care practices in order to really be your best self!

My Favorite Forms of Self-Care:

Creating Moments for Yourself

Taking intentional time for yourself is necessary! This can look however you want it to look. For me, taking the time to give myself a fresh mani or facemask can sometimes set the tone for my day or week. A quick 30 minutes to myself helps me recharge the batteries. For all those busy mama’s out there, I know trying to find 30 minutes for yourself may seem impossible. I don’t get it yet, but I get it. Try utilizing your work commute to recharge. Use your alone time to jam out to your favorite music, call your bestie, listen to a podcast, or drive in absolute silence.

Maybe try waking up 5 minutes earlier to just sit with yourself. My quiet time in the mornings is something I look forward to every Saturday and Sunday…let’s be honest, I’m late for work every morning so I do not have time for quiet time during the week! It’s the time before my husband wakes up, I’m brewing our morning coffee, and I just sit with my fur children and reflect on everything going on. It’s bliss.

Therapy

I’ve always been a huge supporter of people doing routine therapy but I never thought it was for me until I tried it. Now, I’m mad at myself for not seeking therapy out sooner. Turns out it’s a great emotional release, can be very validating, and provides me with valuable tools to be successful in my everyday life. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far is that I’m not great at living with the uncomfortable. I stuff the hard shit right under the rug and move on…anyone else guilty of that? Do you want to know where that kind of habit will lead you?…A one way ticket to a straight up “menty B”. With that being said, it’s been uncomfortable for me getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. Your emotional and mental well-being are precious gifts. Take care of them fiercely. 

Journaling

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Journaling may have been something you did as a young kid…I know I did! But why did we stop? As adults, journaling can be very therapeutic and the perfect self-care activity. It’s a safe space for a much needed brain dump. It’s an opportunity for you to get whatever you are feeling off your chest. The best part is, you never have to read it again if you don’t want to. I use a cute notebook for jotting down whatever is on my mind. There are some journals out there that provide prompts. You can even use the notes or journal app in your phone…whatever tickles your fancy! In a weird way, journaling unburdens you from the heavy things you may carry on a daily basis that you don’t feel comfortable talking about. Give it a try!

Mindful Movement

Gone are my crossfit days. I am no longer deadlifting or push-pressing my body weight. For me, I needed to be more intentional with the way I was moving my body because I was doing more harm than good. I hated feeling like “I had to work out” and wanted to look forward to my workouts. And if I didn’t workout, that’s ok too! The mentality of “I need to workout because I’m having pizza for dinner” is not a life I want to subscribe to. Listening to your body and what it needs is the perfect form of self-care. These days, I’m into yoga, barre, walking, and light running. These activities shift my mood, boost endorphins, and clear my head. Do what feels right for you!

Set Intentional Boundaries

Setting boundaries has been one of the toughest life lessons I’ve ever had to learn. There is so much power in saying “No.” Is this something I’m actively working on…absolutely! Rome wasn’t built in a day! Setting boundaries in your professional life or with friends and family can be very daunting but it’s necessary. They are crucial for maintaining personal well-being, healthy relationships, and professional effectiveness. For those in your life who don’t respect those boundaries, all the more reason for you to have those boundaries. Boundaries protect your emotional and mental health, enable clear communication of your needs and expectations, which fosters mutual respect and understanding in relationships, they are a form of self-care and self-respect, and they protect you from being taken advantage of or manipulated. Start with small boundaries and take it from there!

Jam out to Taylor Swift 

Jamming out to Taylor Swift is an absolute vibe! Her music is a form of self-care for me. I think it’s because I grew up listening to her music and it’s been so relatable to many chapters of my life that I find myself just naturally gravitating towards it. I know this self-care practice isn’t for everyone but the point I’m trying to make is listen to something that feels good. Music has a way of penetrating into your feels and without knowing it, can restore what’s going on in that beautiful brain of yours. 

Tap into your Creative Side

This is such a subjective form of self-care. Participating in creativity can mean anything from drawing, to playing an instrument, to gardening, to baking and everything in-between. Recently, I have been re-teaching myself how to play the piano. It’s a mindless activity which I love but there is a sense of accomplishment when I’ve mastered a new skill. Next up on my creative bucket list is learning how to create textured art…stay tuned! Try tapping into your creative side and how that influences your well-being. 

Lastly, when in doubt, get a new tattoo! JUST KIDDING…kinda! Lol

Drop a comment below on how you indulge in self-care! 

Remember, take care of yourself fiercely!