We know about it, we think about it, say we are too broke for it and perhaps every once in a while we attempt it, but in general, us SASSY women, just don’t take self-care seriously. Our “superwoman” tenancies get the best of us and in a world where you have to be extraordinary to be seen as ordinary, who can blame you? But I am here to tell you that no matter how important you are or how important you think you are, you have time for you. And who am I to be telling you this? I am a SASSY woman. Enough said.
So, what is self –care? For the purpose of this article it will be defined as follows:
self-care [self-kair] – Noun
1. The caring for the SASSY woman’s mental, physical, spiritual and emotional self.
2. The process of reviving old and discovering new interests and integrating them into your daily life.
3. The action of making YOU a priority in your life.
How to get started! The first thing I suggest you do is reflect on some ways you may already be doing self care. If you are going to be realistic in making self-care a real part of your life you might as well work with what you already got going on. Think back on the past 2 weeks and count how many times you did something that you would consider to be self care. Now think of which activity you enjoyed the most, was the least stressful from start to finish and something you could do regularly?
If you can’t think of one self-care activity, then you, my friend, need to re-evaluate your priorities and move yourself up on that list. I know you have heard this before but you are the only you in this world and you are the most important person in your life. So take time now and think of something you could do and just try it!
Once you have your self-care activity, schedule it into you day. Now, do not just say “On Saturday I will go to the gym or go to the park and read or cook a fancy dinner.” But really plan it. The more thought and effort you put into it, the more likely you are to actually do it. Plan it with another SASSY woman so you can both keep each other in check. Once you find a time you know you can do your self-care activity take it as seriously as you would a paper deadline or meeting with the boss. No excuses.
Now that you have your self-care activity, make it known. Example: If you have ever tried to schedule an activity with me on a Tuesday evening chances are I told you “No.” It is well-known fact that Stacey Younge is not available on a Tuesday nights unless it is something major. In a world where your time is so in demand from work, school, friends, family, significant others and all the other time consuming factors it is so easy to move your self-care activity to the bottom of the list until you can get to it “later.”
The next step: DO IT! Whatever the “it” is. Do it, and keep doing it until it becomes as normal as brushing your teeth in the morning. In order to be successful with this step make sure it is something you WANT to do, not something you should or need to do, but something you want to be doing. Leave the excuses for why you can’t do it for something else. One of the realest things I ever heard was that you have time for all the things you really want to do. That’s it. “My job/school demands a lot from me,” “I have a lot going on right now… blah blah blah.” All that time you spend coming up with reasons why can’t do it, should be spent on figuring out a way to make it happen. Now, I understand life happens and you will need to be flexible. Ok so you scheduled three hours but this week, you can only do it for one or occasionally you have to switch the time or day. Fine. Just as long as you’re not changing in every week, if that is the case you need a new plan.
In the end my SASSY sisters, self-care is completely possible if you want it to be, you just gotta make it happen. Take this self-assessment to help start off your new journey to self-care.
Have your own SASSY way of doing self-care? Comment below and share! Also, feel free to let me know if you have any self-care related topic I should discuss. Until next time, enjoy yourself and your self-care activities!
Best,
S
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Great article Stac! Omg I sooo and overdue for some self care. I need to get my nails done, condition my hair, do a facial and go to the gym. Lets do one of them together. Maybe we can go 2 a spa or something. I have never been! Holla at your girl!
Stacey thank you for this article. Self-care is so important. I’m still working on, I make time for so many other things and people and rarely enough for myself. This is important advice that all SASSY women (and men) should follow.
e.
LOVE this article. i swear by self care! i get my nails done when i feel like it, get my pedis, facials, manis, i go to the gym, i cook, i jump on a plane and go wherever, whatever. i have realised over the years that i have CRAZY azz workaholic tendencies and when i am ready so it’s important to pause and engage in the things that make me excited! black women – we deserve it, i think. too many of us experience all these other life complications related to improper self-care. we are always doing for other people – important to take time out and do for yourself. love this shiz right here, this was a good look Stacey!!!
miks
Realistically, I think very few of us take time out to “self-care” (even if we *think* we do). I’m not sure if this is your topic of expertise, but I’d be interested in hearing more about spiritual and/or emotional self-care. That is, it’s absolutely wonderful to take care of yourself physically (hello? pampering is soooo essential!)… but what are we doing for ourselves as women to get our mental, spiritual, and emotional right?
Going to Bliss tomorrow if anyone wants to come! sometimes it’s as simple as going to the doctor! (first time this week in over a year!) Staci write about internal health too! We don’t take of ourselves!