The Word For 2017 Is Self Care.

I have been thinking about the one key focus I could have for 2017. Reading other blog posts, it seems a lot of people have a key work for their focus for the year. It can be very personal or more generalised. However, the same key phrase kept coming back to my mind for us this year.

 

That phrase is self care.

 

Now, this is thrown around a lot, especially lately so it seems. A lot of people mention the word ‘hygge’ and link it to that.

 

But, I think that it is more than that, for me. I want this year to be the year that we take more care of ourselves. I feel like the world at the moment is challenging, for everyone, and it can seem very overwhelming at times. Taking a step back and slowing down is so important.

 

Having a break from reality might explain it better. Putting on a film, snuggling on the sofa with a soft blanket and a hot cup of tea. Or having a hot bath with some bubbles in, candle lit and a good book. All of these actions where you are taking stock and having a pause.

 

It is so easy to rush from one day to the next. Getting up, going to work, coming home again, tea, bed and then repeat. It is so easy for the days to rush by it almost becomes a bit of a blur. You forget about taking care of yourself in that process. It is easy to brush off feeling tired, because it’s the norm. It’s easy to just eat rubbish because you have no motivation to stand and cook something. Taking off the day’s makeup at night seems like such a faff, so you don’t. And so on.

 

I want to slow down a bit, and make sure that I/we/you take care of ourselves. We are the most important ones, after all. I am so used to looking after others, such as Mr FC and Frugal Baby, that I often come last. Or not even at all. I want to change that this year. I have lots of plans that I want to implement, but I can’t do that if I am not in the right frame of mind.

 

These are some of the things I want to make sure I do this year (even though some of them might seem daft):

• nourish my body properly. I make sure Frugal Baby is eating properly, with lots of fruit and veg, so why do I not think that I deserve the same treatment? This will have an impact on all areas too .
• have a night time routine that I stick to. I am terrible at taking my make up off after a day at work. I barely ever moisturise. I’m not getting younger, after all! But, I think this will help me wind down better on an evening.
• start saying yes/no more. This is a tricky one. I need to start saying yes to more opportunities, things that I will actually enjoy doing. But, on the other hand, I need to be better at saying no to some things I just don’t want to do. Does that make sense?
• I need to make time for myself. Having a soak in the bath with a book, or watching a film that I want to watch. Baking a cake or perhaps treating myself to a massage.
• go to bed early, if I need to. Sometimes, when Frugal Baby is asleep on an evening, I could quite happily go to bed then. Why don’t I? I’m not saying going to bed every night at 8PM is a good idea, but sometimes perhaps it is.
• get out more. This is easier in the summer, but I feel like I could stay at home and not go outside on my days off. Even if this means just having a walk around the block with Frugal Baby in his trike. Getting outside and getting some fresh air. This doesn’t mean spending either, particularly.

 

So, some things to focus on. Time seems to be a big factor in most of these. I just want our lives to slow down slightly. As soon as I go back to work, things become busy and then self care disappears. I want 2017 to be the year that it changes. Emotional health and well being are just as important as physical health, after all.

 

Do you have any other suggestions for things I could do? I would love to hear them!

 

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