So I have officially lost track of what week in quarantine it is now that #StayHome is the new normal.
Consider this a self-care check in to make sure you haven’t fallen off during this period of isolation we are having to endure. Making time for self-care is important for your overall health.
From watching the news every hour to scrolling social media a little too much, it’s easy to get lost in the noise of what’s going on around us. And you’re not alone in this. Being in quarantine also comes with periods of boredom, loneliness, confusion, etc.
So as we head into this weekend, I wanted to send you a few self-care ideas and encourage you to take time to step away from the noise and focus on yourself. My top 3 recommendations on things you can do are below.
1. Create or update a space in your home.
I live in New York and space comes at a premium. But my time in quarantine and the fact that it’s officially Spring has prompted me to start planning a refresh and update to some of the decor in my teeny studio apartment in Brooklyn. For me, this means brightening up my bedding and adding some life to my apartment with plants.
Think about what you may need to create your own sacred space that feels like your own reprieve from the world. Is it more space? Coziness? Simple or beautifully eclectic decor? Whatever makes you breathe easier right now, consider making an update to a space in your home a fun project to tackle during this crazy time.
2. Create a self-care routine.
I use to wonder what all the hype was about when #selfcare became one of the hottest hashtags on social media, but now I can’t imagine my life without this intentional practice. Having a routine (sometimes several of them) is actually what has helped me keep my sanity and some sense of normalcy. When I think of self-care, I think of it in the form of a question I ask myself: What do I need FIRST in order to show up in the world as the best version of myself? For me that means reflection, spiritual connectedness and working out.
If you don’t already have one (or several), think about what would be most beneficial to you so you can create self-care routines to match you, not the woman on IG who seems to have it all together.
3. Try Out a New Recipe.
If you’re anything like me and have struggled with meal prep in the past, now could be a great time to get started and try out some new recipes. I committed to meal prepping and have been going strong since the beginning of 2020. You may have even caught one of my “Meal Prep Sundays” photos in my InstaStory from time to time. One of the things that has helped me stay consistent with meal prepping is actually cooking from recipes I find on YouTube. I’m Haitian and love Caribbean food, so I am forever looking for YouTubers to help a sista out on how to season and hook up my meat, poultry and seafood. I never professed to be a top chef, so a little help never hurt anybody.
So if you’re looking to get your meal prep game together or just want to try a new dish, opt for trying out a new recipe this weekend and jam out to one of your favorite playlists while at it.
Well, guess that’s all I have for you right now, but wanted to make sure I send you off into the weekend with a couple of ideas to consider as we do this quarantine thing one more time.
How are you self-caring these days? I’d love to hear about any self-care ideas or practices you’re incorporating to get through this quarantine madness. Drop a comment below to tell me about what you’re doing. Sharing is caring.
