4 Ways To Practice Wholesome Self Care for the Holidays

It’s time to give proper recognition back to the wholesome self care that used to mean more than getting manicures and pedicures.

At the end of every year we are reminded how important self-care is and how it is more than just enjoying days at the spa. There’s a lot of internal work to be done to genuinely activate self-care mode. With the holiday season in its’ prime, you deserve to focus on putting the me in merry. If you want to know how to do this while you practice self care, then keep reading!

Adjust Your Expectations

Accept that fact that this has been a difficult year to navigate. Don’t let another person’s picture perfect Instagram photo or feed make you feel like you “want that too”. We should look to social media for inspiration, not as a measure of comparison. J. Cole said it best, “There’s no such thing as a life that’s better than yours. Love yours.”. Pull a number from Thanksgiving and take time to reflect on what you are thankful for.

Prioritize Taking Care Of Yourself

A wise woman used to tell me “the only person in charge of you, is you… you are in control of what you do”. Respect and acknowledge your own boundaries by making yourself a priority. If you don’t feel safe meeting up with the ones you love for the holidays, then stay true to how you feel. Stay home. It might feel unsettling at first, but you will thank yourself later.

Do An Activity You Enjoy

Don’t sell yourself short by making yourself do some sort of self care activity that you feel like you should do. Instead, ask yourself, what activity makes me feel at ease and comfortable in my own skin? Whether it’s working out, sleeping in, bullet journaling, decorating your space, playing video games, organizing or even shamelessly binging on Netflix, make sure you dedicate a little bit of time doing whatever that is.

Reach Out To A Self Care Buddy

Remember that “be the light you wish to see in the world” quote? Instead of being the light, I’m suggesting that you borrow someone else’s, but only if you genuinely need it. Your self care buddy can be anyone that you are close to. They’re the people who make you feel safe by accepting you when you are in your most unapologetic form. It’ll be the person who makes you feel like you are flying in a judgement free zone. Be honest with them when you need them. Let them know you would like to spend some time with them whether it’s a phone call, video chat, or text. Let them know that you need to borrow their light.

At one point in time self-care actually meant wellness. Over time the use of the words self-care and wellness became aligned with methods of taking care of yourself by using beauty products. The relationship between these is one that feels conflicting. Self-care deserves to be recognized as more than just another faddish term to be used in a way that exploits beauty as a means of wellness. All in all, self care really means that you are beautiful the way you are and that you should take care of yourself and nurture that beauty both mentally and physically.

I hope you get a chance to prioritize yourself and practice self care this holiday season.

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