What is self-care?
We often hear about taking care of your physical appearance, your skin, your hair, and your hygiene. Some people would say that self care is about taking care of your mental health, journaling, perhaps seeing a therapist, sharing your thoughts with friends, eating healthy or training your body. But what if self-care is mainly about balance and acceptance?
Nowadays, especially through social media, it can be easy to sugar coat everything, even self-care. To think that self-care is always pretty and well put. That it is waking up with the sun, making yourself a healthy smoothie, going for a run, journaling at night while drinking homemade tea, turning off the light and falling asleep immediately.
Reality check: it rarely goes like this. Self-care is mostly about you. What makes you happy? What gives you purpose and what makes you want to do good for others? Don't let others tell you how to take care of yourself because, even though they can help you, you are the one who knows yourself best and trusting yourself is where self-care begins.
Let’s keep it real: we take care of ourselves so that we can be good for others. Taking care of yourself is being responsible while practicing love on the daily. Maybe your happy place is makeup, maybe you find it in books, art, nature or food. Whatever it is, you have the power to honor it and share it with others.
Exploring yourself
Some people will call those who take care of themselves and who reflect on their life selfish. But, what could be a better place to start understanding and comprehending than within your own self? A better way to communicate and help others, a more sustainable way to live your life than to sustain your own happiness? As you pay more attention to your strengths and your weaknesses, you will be able to take better care of yourself in all aspects!
Do face masks and don't feel bad about it!
So, we’ve been talking about how skincare can only do so much, but it does make us feel good, doesn’t it? When you use skincare products, try to pick them wisely. Buy consciously from companies that you actually want to encourage. People who care about the environment, about their customers, and care to provide the best ingredients possible.
It is not superficial to take the time to nurture your skin. Sometimes overconsumption, the beauty industry and beauty standards (especially towards women) make us feel like anything beauty-related is bad. And that is certainly not the case. Simply do what makes you happy and do it in a respectful way. Taking good care of your skin, from washing it to hydrating it and giving it special treatment will never be vain. Caring about yourself, whether it is your physical self or your inner self, is never superficial. Most important of all, don’t feel bad to take some time out for yourself! Otherwise you’ll lose the actual wonderful benefits of self-care!
Be kind to yourself and to others.
