Self Care, Soul Care
September is Self-Care Month. Self-care is something I advocate for and have a deep understanding of its importance as a human being. And I feel, to some degree you do as well. Self-care is NOT consumerism, though it is presented that way. You can buy yourself whatever you feel like, but know that it’s not a requirement. When caring for your spirit, it’s important to discern how this action makes you or your body feel. Does it empower or harm?
Caring for yourself could look like this:
- Taking a nap
- Massaging your scalp
- Taking a day of silence
- Cooking a meal for yourself
- Taking a social media break
- Dancing or any kind of free-form movement
- Going for a mindfulness walk
- Focused breathwork in 5-minute increments
- Leaving a toxic work environment
- Sing or Rap your favorite songs
- Creating gratitude lists
- Making a cup of tea
- Walking barefoot on grass
- Declining social interactions that may energetically drain you
Some of these you may already be familiar with and that's ok, nothing wrong with a small reminder. If this is all new to you; you don’t have to do this entire list. Do what feels right to you. Trusting yourself is a great tool for healing.
As someone who has struggled with mental health in the past, it can be easy to forget the simple joys. The ideas and activities that we have immediate access to, are tools we can use to amplify our greatness. Every day that we rise from sleep is another chance to see & express ourselves in full authenticity. Please know that we can create joy for ourselves daily. We have that superpower. To CREATE.
Below are quotes I found from the mouths and musings of Black Folx. I added a sunflower for the ones I enjoy the most. I hope these words move you.
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare," -Audre Lorde 🌻
“Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” –Toni Morrison 🌻
“Deal with yourself as an individual worthy of respect, and make everyone else deal with you the same way. ” –Nikki Giovanni
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
-Maya Angelou
“You are on the eve of a complete victory. You can’t go wrong. The world is behind you.” –Josephine Baker
“I realized that I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.” –Kerry Washington 🌻
"If we give our children sound self-love, they will be able to deal with whatever life puts before them."-bell hooks
“If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.”-Zora Neale Hurston 🌻
“Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself.” –Alice Walker🌻
“To truly choose to love is heroic. To work at love, to really let yourself understand the art of loving.” -bell hooks 🌻
“Self-care is a way of maintaining both wellness and balance in the energetic economy of social and economic intercourse. Activists and caretakers who do not attend to self-care are vulnerable to burnout, and burnout in turn can breed alienation from both issues and communities… Self-care and care of others needs to be balanced.” -Layla Maparyan 🌻
“You are your Best Thing.” -Toni Morrison 🌻
"Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am.” -Janelle Monáe
Take care of yourself in whatever capacity you can.
Christy Marie
