Self-Care Crash Course: A Guide to Prioritizing You

Sometimes things need to go beyond skincare routines and bubble baths to embrace the essence of who you are and who you aspire to be. I have learned that the journey of self-love, self-discovery, and self-empowerment is sacred and personal. It should honor your truth, celebrate your worth, and nourish your soul from within. Sure no one is going to turn down glowing skin, a warm bath, and a glass of natural wine but if you’re here you know this is all much deeper than that.

We all love thriving and living in abundance - but the moments of life are like a wave - you catch a good one for a minute or maybe a little longer and other times you’re crashing, trying to come up for air, and feeling like you’re in a rip tide. It ebbs and it flows. Somedays are great and other days I don’t want to get out of bed. One thing is for sure though - if I stick to some type of loose routine, even when it gets rough…I can navigate a bit better.

This share is for those who have fallen off from their regular routines, have gotten too caught up in the responsibilities of adulting, and need some quick simple steps they can take to feel present and start to get back on track. These are some of the points we address in The Shift sessions but in case you cannot make it or want to do things on your own, or are too overwhelmed, I thought I’d lay out a foundation of steps you can build on. The entire aspect of self-care that I think is lost upon us is the word SELF…you gotta figure out what works for YOU.

Setting An Intention

When things seem out of control, it's essential to start with intention. Setting clear intentions allows us to align our actions with our values and aspirations, guiding us toward a life filled with purpose and meaning. The intention can be around self-care, taking a break, having some fun, getting rest, or just dumping out all the thoughts swirling in your brain. Regardless, it’s the first step in action and tells your brain, we are moving out of this current mindset so pay attention.

Creating Ritual

It’s best to start with one or two that you can do for the next thirty days. I’m not telling you to overhaul your entire life that honestly is the worst idea when you’re overwhelmed or have fallen off. I’m saying start small. Honestly, go and do something fun. Stop doing. Create a ritual around a daily break - even if it’s 10 minutes. Start with little rituals that make you feel good - maybe sitting and being present when you drink your morning coffee and not scrolling on your phone, or a break from social media, even reading 15 minutes a day. Rituals are the cornerstone of wellness, providing us with moments of pause, reflection, and rejuvenation in our busy lives. From morning routines to bedtime rituals, you need to set a foundation for creating personalized self-care rituals that align with your needs and preferences.

Ask yourself are you craving stillness or seeking adventure? What do you do for yourself that makes you feel amazing? Is it a10-minute morning dance party with yourself or the children before school (if you have them) or bedtime affirmations, or laying out your clothes for the next day?

Further Reading & Watching → How To Date Yourself

Nurturing Mind, Body, and Soul

We need to nurture our entire being, mind, body, and soul. What practices support your overall well-being? Is it mindfulness meditation, intentional movement, or nourishing food? By prioritizing well-rounded care, we can cultivate resilience, vitality, and joy in our lives. It also helps us move out of “crisis self-care” and into preventative self-care…so when a crisis does hit we know how to move through it and have systems of support. True wellness and health starts from within.

Watch ↘ Questions for Becoming The Best Version of You

Cultivating Gratitude

I am the first person to tell you that when the shit hits the fan the hardest thing to do is be grateful. When you’re feeling down, brokenhearted, or stressed this is probably the last thing you want to do. However, studies have shown that it is essential to find gratitude in moments of crisis and not after so we do not “hardwire the brain for bad”. Gratitude doesn’t ask you to ignore the serious issues and tragedies - instead, it tells you that too much attention to what’s bad, is bad for you. Taking a moment to pause for gratitude in other areas of your life can bring your awareness to difficulties you have overcome previously and it can help identify your support systems in the moment.

Wellness & Self Care Are Not A Destination

Remember that self-care is not a destination or outcome, but a process and journey. If you take this approach it becomes a series of events in self-discovery, self-love, and self-compassion. Prioritizing your well-being is essential now in our collective shift - you will only be able to show up for community and family if you show up for yourself. No one can pour from an empty cup. I am continuing to explore additional resources, routines, modalities, and support - I encourage you to do the same. I will continue to share what I learn and collect on this site, my YouTube, and my social channels. Whether you choose to join us for "The Shift" sessions or embark on your journey independently, know that you are worthy of care and deserving of love. If you have any additional ideas for moving through please reach out.

→ Futher Reading : Donna’s Journal - Living with Intention in 2024 & Embracing Purpose