Darlings, it’s that time of year again, and I can’t help but wonder: how do you feel about the holidaze season? Yes, I call it “holidaze” because it used to leave me feeling like I was in a daze from November to January. Between work, parties, dinners, and the quest for the perfect gift, I would end up wearing myself out and maybe even with a little TMI, like a pesky bladder infection. Did you know that dehydration can lead to such an unpleasant ailment? It was after two years of ending up in the ER over Christmas that I realized I had forgotten basic wellness practices. I mean, who forgets to hydrate for a month, right?
But here’s the kicker: I did it not once but twice. It was only in year three that I decided to take charge and schedule my holidaze self-care. I put it in my calendar! If I could make it to every holiday event on my calendar, the least I could do was show up for myself. I took what was once a survival mission during the holidays and made it a year-round commitment.
There are four categories that self-soul-care falls into:
Now, let’s talk about daily routines. This is where most folks struggle, but if you stack your habits for the day, your daily routines can become seamless. Being a morning person, most of my self-soul-care happens before 7 am. The first thing I do when I rise is drink 16 oz of water while preparing my coffee in a French press. No more praying to the coffee gods for a quick fix! I add my vitamins to my morning smoothie, which sits beside the blender. I brush my teeth while my moisturizer works its magic, and I even squeeze in 15 minutes of meditation before waking the kids. There are countless ways to tweak your routine to make it flow and get the self-care you need.
Let’s talk movement, or as I like to call it, “movement” rather than “exercise.” When we say “exercise,” most people automatically claim they don’t have the time. But when you think of it as “movement,” it takes the pressure off the word. You can find 30 minutes in a day for some movement, even if it means skipping Netflix for a walk. Trust me, a walk beats a date with your couch any day. I aim for three heart-pumping movement sessions a week, and any extras are bonuses that earn me high fives. Schedule your gym time, classes, or walks, and hold yourself accountable by reflecting on your month.
Now, darlings, there are professionals for a reason! I make at least one appointment with a skilled practitioner every month. Currently, I’m on the osteopath train, which has made a world of difference since I injured myself in the summer. Various wellness modalities fall into this category: RMTs, acupuncturists, chiropractors, Reiki masters, reflexologists, and, of course, your ESTI-BESTIE (that’s me!). Not only are you less likely to cancel an appointment with a pro, but the benefits will surpass what you can do yourself.
And then there are “No Days.” Yes, they are exactly what they sound like—days when you say no to everything. I pencil in at least two of these on my calendar every month, usually on a Sunday. Sundays work best for me, but when planning your “No Days,” pick a day with fewer commitments. It’s easier to stick to the plan with fewer roadblocks.
But wait, here’s the real key to making all of this work: put it in your calendar and color-code it. When you color-code your calendar, you can quickly see when and what type of self-soul-care you have scheduled for the day. I don’t need to schedule my daily routines because they’re second nature to me, but if they aren’t for you, scheduling them initially can be a big help.
My “No Days” are red in my calendar. If someone asks me to do something, and I see that day is red, it’s a hard and fast no because I’ve already committed that day to myself. When I see yellow, I know it’s going to be a good day—it’s my “see-a-pro” day, which can be a bright spot in an otherwise challenging week. Planning the good stuff around tough days can completely change the dynamic of your week.
Keeping appointments with yourself may seem a tad frivolous, but as you make it part of your everyday life, you’ll start to honor yourself one day at a time. Plus, if you look at your calendar, you’ll see that you already have several positive habits to support the new ones you want to begin. And just like that, you’ve created a holidaze of self-care that lasts all year long. So, let’s color-code our calendars and make ourselves the priority we deserve to be!
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