Self-Care has become a trendy concept nowadays. However, the meaning behind it transcends the trend. Self-care reminds us to redirect our attention to the areas in our lives that are lacking. Some would say it’s more than putting on a face mask and turning on a bath, but we must remember context. Everyone has a different circumstance to deal with. If completing simple hygiene routines is difficult for someone, then putting on a face mask could be an accomplishment for the day.

      It’s important to know what works for us and what doesn’t. What is healthy and safe for us and what isn’t. Which environments contribute to our breakdowns and which ones build us up. Take care of yourself, this is your only existence in this world. You are already living this life right now. Take a breather from studying. Sleep in if you can, try to eat even when you don't feel like it, reach out to someone you can trust, try a therapist. Our needs are not frivolous, trivial, or stupid. Our bodies need care. Our minds need care. We need to take ourselves seriously and focus on plans that have positive impacts on our lives. Do what helps you thrive and function. Please don't hold yourself back from progressing and getting better.

*Photo by Suhyeon Choi

     Sometimes life throws you a fast ball that curves, slows down, changes direction, then hits you in the forehead. Other times we create messy situations that are difficult to get out of. In either scenario, there are steps to unraveling the complex parts.

   Think about how this change fits into your overall plans, your future, your goals. Where will it lead you to? A step in the wrong direction will divert your plans. Stay focused. Let's say you're trying to save money and something comes up to where you need to move cities, states, or even countries. Maybe moving is actually a step towards saving money by living in a more affordable environment. Create a budget and see. Job opportunity in a field that's not your own? Are there skills to gain that can be transferred? Think about the length of time spent at this position, the possible move for a promotion. What about buying a car? Some areas have accessible public transportation or stores that are more accessible to residents than others. For example, the difference between a city and the suburbs. Check your budget and see how it fits into your life financially. Don't get blindsided by transitions and change. Being overprepared is a hundred times better than being underprepared.

     Buy a notebook (or use word/google doc) specifically for your future goals and plans. Writing plans down keeps you accountable. When you forget, you can always go back to them later. It's also great to see all the ideas down together and how they might fit or not. When they stay in your head, it's easy to create a fantasy of how plans will pan out. If you are a spiritual person, pray for guidance. Have discussions with people farther in life than you and compare your next steps. Of course, take any suggestion or opinion with a grain of salt. (For advice on how to deal with people's opinions, read my post here). Don't get stuck in a place you don't want to be in.



*Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash