If you're following my pages on Instagram or Facebook, you might have seen some of my week of self care tips. If not, don't worry, I'm adding them all here for my lovely website viewers!
Day One - Take a shower (or run a deliciously deep bath). ENJOY the hot water, feel how gorgeous it is to be luxuriating instead of rushing. GIVE yourself at least 10 minutes - TIP: use a timer if you need to. USE that special shower gel or bath bubbles you've been saving for a special occasion. Make YOURSELF the special occasion and LUXURIATE in this time for YOU. NOTICE how paying attention to something small makes you feel - note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.
Day Two - READ something REAL. An actual paper book, a magazine, your kids stories, even a gardening or clothes catalogue. REMEMBER how the texture, smell and even the typeface of words make the experience PLEASURABLE and so much MORE engaging of your senses than reading a screen. GIVE yourself at least 10 minutes - TIP: use a timer if you need to. NOTICE how paying attention to something small makes you feel - note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.
Day Three - Try using a positive affirmation. Look at YOURSELF in a mirror and tell yourself : I am worthy of LOVE and JOY - say it with feeling. This is just for YOU so don't worry if you feel silly - nobody is watching or judging. If you feel that a different affirmation would be more truthful for YOU then your magical search engine will help you find something GOOD and JUICY. FLOOD yourself with LOVE and positive energy. NOTICE how paying attention to something small makes you feel - note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.
Day Four - LEAVE your phone alone. Really far away. Take a walk without it, try a meditation or a stretch. Bake a cake. GIVE yourself at least 60 minutes phone free time. NOTICE how you feel WITHOUT it and what you did with that time instead (NOTE your feelings if you'd like a reminder). Pay ATTENTION to what's around you right NOW. TIP: use a timer if you need to. NOTICE how paying attention makes you feel - note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.
Day Five - TRY reflexology. Use the video posted on my IGTV and story showing you some quick and EASY HAND reflexology that you can use on yourself. Be MINDFUL of your self touch, you should be gentle and use smooth and flowing movements. USE these techniques for 2 minutes at least 3 times TODAY. NOTICE how paying attention to something small makes you feel - note it down if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.
Day Six - CALL (don't text) a friend or someone special for a catch-up, short or long. TELL them how much they mean to you. REMIND yourself that CONNECTIONS with other human beings are part of the LOVING nature of life. NOTICE how you FEEL being part of someone else's story for a few minutes and have GRATITUDE and LOVE for that person in your life
NOTE that feeling if you want to remember. YOU are special and worthy of self-care.
Day Seven - GIVE yourself a high five! If you've followed along all week and tried out everything I suggested, you've given yourself the GIFT of a week of SELF CARE. I hope you've enjoyed taking part. Let me know how you got on with the challenge - has it changed how you feel about giving YOU some time and attention? Will you repeat any of it? Drop your comments below or send me a DM- I'd love to hear from you.
YOU are SO special and worthy of self-care
Love, Rowena x