[CHAT] I look after me
When you think about what self-care actually is, it really seems like a no brainer. Really, who wouldn’t want to do things that make them a happier, more mentally balanced and less stressed out person on a regular basis?
Even though it seems like a pretty obvious choice, a lot of us (me included) can be not too great at implementing self-care on a regular basis. Instead we might choose to do things that are easier or take less mental energy, like maybe spending hours scrolling through Tumblr… Not that I would know anything about that.
There are a few reasons why we might slip up a little on practicing self-care. For many, self-care can seem like it’s optional or even a bit selfish. In a world where we’re constantly pushing ourselves to achieve more and do more to reach strict ideas of what makes a “good life” it can be difficult to feel like you’re justified in taking time out to look out for your own needs. Self-care is something that we all need to do once in a while, no ifs, ands or buts.
So what actually makes something self-care? Self-care can be a really individual thing for different people, for example for one person going for a run would be self-care but for another it might mean baking a cake. All self-care, no matter what it entails, has one thing in common. Self-care all involves taking time to look after you, whether that’s physically, emotionally or mentally.
Want to learn more about self-care and how you can make it a bigger part of your life? Great! Come and join @safari93 and @Chessca_H on Monday 20th, 8pm AEST as we chat about looking after yo’self.
holoholo wrote:Gotta watch the line between a day off and several weeks off 😛
Sounds a lot like my anxiety. It is a bitch that just feeds and feeds on you, kind of like a parasite.
@stonepixie Yep, things like anxiety and stress do have a tendency for a snowball effect, unfortunately.
As for this question...
Personally, it can be a bit of a guilt thing sometimes. I also get the feeling that it may be undeserved, or taking away from care I should be giving someone else. I can get caught up and obsessed over not being 'productive enough', and self-care sometimes looks so pointless when I feel Ihave work to do and skills to improve. It certainly is important of course!!
@stonepixie I just googled it and they're called Assylum flowers. They just started growing all over the garden and creeping into the vegetable patch and it is a struggle keeping the veggies safe
Oh they are so beautiful but!
Practicing self-care isn’t easy, and we might not always commit to it. Have you ever neglected self-care for something easier?
Yes. Doing nothing and just letting your feelings take over you. Drums and footy are pretty limiting activities since you can't play footy inside and drums are mainly only for when people aren't home. It's easier being angry than trying to think up something to do to calm down.
Practicing self-care isn’t easy, and we might not always commit to it. Have you ever neglected self-care for something easier?
Definitely!!!!!! I'd neglect exercise and walking because it was easier to just sit on tumblr/youtube for a couple of hours. Ultimately not only did I manage to not leave the house/get any exercise, I'd waste more time watching videos and reblogging posts than I would have practicing whatever self-care I had organised
@FootyFan26 if it helps you with your health in some way, then it could be self-care. Ultimately it is up to each person to decide what would constitute self-care, and since it's so diverse it can be difficult to tell if something is self-care or just a hobby
@stonepixie I used to grow these little white flowers (I don't remember the name) but then they grew everywhere and now trying to keep them under control is really undermining the benefits of gardening 
I'm actually pretty lucky- my school does cover consent very well, and even self care...to an extent. In relation to studying management anyway, lol
Do you practice self-care? What kinds of activities do you do for self-care?
Like I said earlier, my idea of self care really depends on doing whatever I can, in that moment, do for myself. I definitely try as much as Ican to be mindful of myself and the way I think, when I can remember to...
Honestly, my favorite self-care is just taking a day to relax, read, watch tv, put all school related thoughts off until tomorrow, and ideally have a hot bath with bath bombs- sadly, I have no bath tub though. Hot showers for now....
@N1ghtW1ng sometimes you just need a little time-out, to keep yourself from being worn down or over-stressed or something else
Do you practice self-care? What kinds of activities do you do for self-care?
I try my best to practice self-care, not always successfully :P. Some of the things I do for self care are watching movies I love, reading, having a good sing to music I like and pampering stuff like face masks 🙂
So many great self-care activites! Let's get going to the next question:
Practicing self-care isn’t easy, and we might not always commit to it. Have you ever neglected self-care for something easier?
Practicing self-care isn’t easy, and we might not always commit to it. Have you ever neglected self-care for something easier?
I am guilty of eating my emotions. 😕 And I've also lost it a couple of times as it was the easiest way to get rid of the pent up anger than lots and lots of self-care and mindfulness.
@stonepixie I can be guilty of the eating one too, especially around exam time!
Not really, no. To be honest, I'm not 100% sure but I don't think I have.
I practice self-care (not as regularly as I should lol), mostly through reading for leisure and also giving myself hair and skin treatments. I love pampering myself, and I read a lot for my studies so novels are a great break for me
@stonepixie that's so true!! Less stuff about anatomy and scary STI presentations and more relationship-type stuff and mental health care
It seems (almost) everyone learned about self-care on the internet!!
Anyways next question: Do you practice self-care? What kinds of activities do you do for self-care?
Do you practice self-care? What kinds of activities do you do for self-care?
Yes, yes, yes! A million times yes!
So many activities! Seriously, it just depends on what I'm into at the moment and my location. I love going for walks in nature and if that isn't possible, I sometimes just visit bunnings to imagine / dream up my own garden as I walk along the plants. I don't have a very green thumb though, I killed my lavendar plant. 
Lots and lots of arts and crafts! Right now I am really enjoying crocheting, as in with yarn and a hook and not like on Alice in Wonderland, like @N1ghtW1ng thought. 
I'm also into those colouring in books at the moment.
And I love to read and bake and yeah!
I guess that I am just so lucky that there are a million things I can do for self-care. Oh and bubble baths are amazing!
Do you practice self-care? What kinds of activities do you do for self-care?
No I don't think I do. I mainly just keep my anger and stress. (Please don't lecture me on the backpack)
Sometimes I play drums if I feel like it and I usually play footy on Wednesdays and Sundays but I don't know if that's it or not.
