What did you do for your own self-care today?

[Learning2Thrive]

Most of us struggle with taking time to practice good self care. I have been guilty of self neglect for years. I’ve gotten better at doing something 2 or 3 times a week, but have difficulty with consistent, daily care.

So I would like to know if you gave some to yourself today and what it was. It can be big or small... .some days we may only have 15minutes.

I will start... .

I met one of my female bike buddies early this morning for a “play it by ear” long road cycling ride. We were looking to ride 40 - 50 miles. We had a general idea and direction in mind, but left details open to play it by ear.

I love doing rides like this but usually do shorter versions alone because I have had difficulty finding someone else who was open to the concept.

The thrill of the unknown and unscripted adventure is what I love. It was a risk as this was the first time I reached out to her in this way but I am thrilled to say the day went beautifully.

We were like two 8 year old kids, laughing, being relaxed and silly and exploring. I showed her new cut through roads she didn’t know. She showed me a new coffee shop and introduced me to a London Fog tea drink that I had never tasted before.

We pedaled off 48 miles before stopping for a late breakfast around 11am. After breakfast we rode a few more miles to catch a train back, purposely hopped off a stop early so we could add on a couple more miles.

It was a great autumn day with perfect sunshine and only gentle breezes. We ended up with a little more than 53 miles finished before lunchtime. The 8 y/o L2T was so happy.

Now it’s your turn... .

  L2T
 

[CryWolf]

stayed in bed until 4pm. went to the gym, then spent time with siblings and mom and ate ice cream together.

watched a movie and it was okay

[Woolspinner2000]

Hi L2T,

This is a wonderful topic and thank you for exploring it with all of us. 

Yesterday the outdoors was calling me so I made sure to sit on my swing for a while, gently moving back and forth. I find the repetition to be therapeutic, and my T has told me that the trauma training he has attended says that repetitive movements are very therapeutic to trauma survivors.

Today I will be outside at a re enactors type of event and that helps me to self care and bring positive emotions into my life.

 
Wools

[Snoopy737]

Hey LT2

Great subject.

For 4 months ago I had a minor 'break down' with stress, and I realized it had to do with my endless to-do-list. It contain really good activities, excercise, making good and healthy food, helping others and time for my own hobbies and work, but I often start up too much at the same time with the 'This time it has to be a succes!" And then I feels even worse, when I can't keep the pace.

So ... .

Now I really have to feel how much my body and my mind can cope with today. I've added buffers, so I'm ready 10 minutes before I have to get out of the house, and I arrive at my destination 10 minutes before, and my "only" job is then to calm down, to feel myself without yanking the cell phone out of my pocket and scrolling intense through Instagram. It's really a good thing for me - the buffers.

Friday I went for swimming in the local pool, and I really try not to stress, like I did before with all my to-do-lists (by the way, all the to-do lists went directly down into the bin, and I didn't take them up again.) I stay in the showers for one minute more, than my spontane reaction tells me to, and I found a nice sunny spot beside the pool and took time to a really calm dry land warm up before swimming. Actually, I'm not a big fan of being in focus, but I'm trying to do it anyway, because I would have warmed up that way, if I had been alone. I felt really good just having this mindful warmup, and I swam for only half an hour and said to myself "It's good, and it's good enough". Otherwise I would at least have paced myself into 40 laps, swimming for more than an hour.

After hitting the showers again, and put on some comfy sports clothes and walked back into the pool area and just enjoyed the same sunny spot at the completely empty spectators rows. Just the sound of splashing water was a mindful experience, and then I let my thougts go uncotrolled, and sometimes I notice where they are. I'm also enjoying observing the other swimmers. I'm about to learn freestyle at our swimming club, so it's pretty funny being the "teacher" standing on land watching the others swim techniques, or lack of ;)

When I leave the pool, I enjoy sitting outside for at while (it's an indoor pool) and I bring fruit or some other delicious snack I look forward to.

I felt really kind of "Zen", when I came home, and friday evening was just so much better.

When I get this "You really have to ... .You really should do this or that." Then I ask myself. "Why do I have to do it?" Why do I have to swim 40 laps, when I have a cold and really only wanna swim for half an hour?

In the evening, an inner saint wispered "You have to go for a walk for at least an hour. It's great weather". But my body was really heavy and tired after the swimming and I thought it through again and came to 'Why do I have to walk for an hour, when I have been swimming this afternoon? Shouldn't I just do something nice, like watching a good movie and take the walk another day. I mean the lake I wake around, is also there tomorrow ;) So I didn't exercise anymore.

I hope I can keep up with this routine, listening to myself, instead of listening to "You really should ... .clean, run, read the textbooks etc."

You bike-trip with your friend sounds so cozy. Actually, I'm taking my bike now, half an hour to IKEA, and when I get back, I'll put on a cozy sunday evening movie.

All best, Snoopy

[Panda39]

Yesterday, I was a total bum for the first time in a long time I just did nothing.  No boyfriend visit, my son was busy with his own stuff, didn't go to the grocery store etc. So I played around on Facebook (Posted some pictures of a quilt I just finished and posted about the end of the growing season at the Community Garden), watched some football (fell asleep on the couch for awhile), and watched the Documentary on Netflix about Quincey Jones (which was kind of Meh). Did I mention that I didn't even get dressed?

I'm an introvert that needs downtime so it was a wonderful day and way to re-charge my batteries.

Today bring on the chores! I've got another work week starting on Monday! Yippie! Says the Panda with some sarcasm 

Take care of yourselves everyone!
Panda39

[Learning2Thrive]

Crywolf, good to see you here. Your day sounds like luxury to me. I have a weakness for ice cream. 

Wools, you have a swing? That sounds wonderful. Oh yes, in nature on a swing. I’m kinda jealous in a “happy for you” way.

Snoopy, great to hear from you! I have similar troubles with taking on too much. There just are NOT enough hours in the day for me to do all the stuff I really want to do and honor all my adult commitments and obligations. Swimming is so healthy and soothing. I also love to do deep water pool running (easy on my old knees).

Panda, you are my kind of Panda! Days that I don’t get dressed are my favorite. It is such a rare occurrence for me, so when it happens I revel in the luxury of it. Sounds like you are a very busy Panda most of the time. I totally get the need to recharge. Finishing a quilt is also a wonderful achievement. Congratulations!

  L2T

[Learning2Thrive]

Today I did not have any time for myself... .yet. But I try to make it a priority to do SOMETHING each day, even if it’s only 15 minutes.

So, I’m planning to do a short guided meditation before falling asleep tonight. A couple years ago my therapist gave me this link for free, short meditations:
https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/audio

Anyone else care to share? What are you doing for self-care today?

Sending positive energy, encouragement and gentle hugs to all the family and lurkers here. 

   L2T

[Notgoneyet]

   Did some guided meditation early this morning(5am) when I woke worrying about some things. Fell back to sleep afterwards & woke up feeling very rested.
   Took the dogs for a nice cool fall walk.
   Did a repair weld (favor) for a random Co-worker as soon as I got   to work.
   Finishing up a nice quiet evening here at work w my new (favorite family) on this site  !

[Learning2Thrive]

   Did some guided meditation early this morning(5am) when I woke worrying about some things. Fell back to sleep afterwards & woke up feeling very rested.
   Took the dogs for a nice cool fall walk.
   Did a repair weld (favor) for a random Co-worker as soon as I got   to work.
   Finishing up a nice quiet evening here at work w my new (favorite family) on this site  !

Hi Notgoneyet 

Thank you for sharing. Glad to find a fellow guided meditation fan. The rest afterwards is usually so good.

Your walk with dogs sounds lovely. And doing something kind for someone else is always a feel-good. You’ve got some good self care happening!

Have a wonderful remainder of your evening and rest well tonight,

L2T

[Libra]

I spent the morning de-cluttering the house.
That probably doesn't sound like self-care, but it helps me de-clutter my mind as well.
The true enjoyment comes afterwards, enjoying the space and tranquility I helped create.

Libra.

[zachira]

I worked on cleaning out my house so I can move and start a new life somewhere else.

[CryWolf]

went to class. didnt pay attention and doodled the whole time. then I realized how Im possibly good at drawing randing figures

[Learning2Thrive]

went to class. didnt pay attention and doodled the whole time. then I realized how Im possibly good at drawing randing figures

Change is good. Nothing wrong with that. Art. Major.   

Breathe. Take your time. It’s your life and it is supposed to be about you. 

  L2T