My Self-Care Circle

Day five of NaBloPoMo, which means that it’s my goal to write one blog post every day this month and today we’re going to talk about my self-care circle.

When I was talking about my self-care goals for the week, I said that one of my goals was to get good sleep on my days off without feeling guilty and I am happy to report back that not only did I go to sleep early, but I also slept until I woke up naturally. #SelfCareWin

Self-Care isn’t always a linear journey. There will be times when you’re doing so good at taking care of yourself that you don’t even put any effort into it and other days when you’re so busy or stressed or distracted that it unintentionally gets pushed to the wayside.

This week, I’m choosing intention. Intentionally focusing on self-care every day.

So let’s talk about what self-care looks like for Dominee. I really wish I was one of those cutesy self-care gurus with those perfectly Instagramable self-care routines but for reals; my self-care right now is sitting on my couch with Netflix playing in the background, while I play Planet Zoo, completely covered in cat fur, with 2-3 cats sitting around me, while I look like a swamp witch. Seriously, this hair after I wake up? Swamp witch.

But do you want to know what I am? Happy.

And that’s the essence and beauty of self-care. It’s different for everyone.

Let’s talk about my Self-Care Circle!

The self-care circle is everything that helps me function on the optimal level. I left out the basics: healthy food (no carbs for me, it upsets my tummy), sleep (I’m working on getting more!) and time spent with my love (I mean, that one is obvious!).

But let’s talk about the other things.

A Sense of Purpose

Blessing Manifesting is so many things. It’s a job. It’s a way to help people and it’s my life’s purpose and what I feel I was put on this earth to do. So it’s a big one. Without it, I know that I’d feel aimless.

For a really long time, I thought my anxiety was going to keep me from doing anything. I didn’t go to college, I didn’t have a social life, I didn’t really do… anything.

Having an outlet for my thoughts and also helping people at the same time? It’s a bonus. It’s wonderful. It holds a special place in my heart.

Heated Blankets + Pajama Pants

I use my heated blanket even in the summer and how can you go wrong with pajamas? Current favorite? PAJAMA ONESIES.

Audiobooks and Reading

My other job affords me the ability to wear headphones while I work so I’m usually listening to audiobooks for 8 hours a day, five days a week. Audible gets so much of my money you guys, it’s ridiculous.

With anxiety, one of the worst things about it is having to live in your head while your anxiety is talking and telling you all of the things that could possibly go wrong in your life. I much prefer listening to stories about zombies.

Fresh Air and Rainy Days

I obsessively check the forecast for rainy days. They are my favorites. I open my windows, light candles, and let my soul feel at peace. But I’ll take any kind of fresh air. My windows are open in Spring, Autumn, and Winter pretty much all the time.

Leaving My Comfort Zone

This one is uncomfortable self-care but also a necessary one, again, because of anxiety. I get scared about straying from my schedule or from “safety”. In theory, I don’t like to travel, I don’t like to do new things, I don’t like new places, I don’t like surprises. But in practice? I LOVE ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

So even though I don’t always want to, leaving my comfort zone is self-care.

Time to Myself

I like time to just think and be without the energy of other people around me. (Hello fellow introverts!) It helps me recharge and feel like myself again.

Cat Cuddles

Do I really have to explain how awesome these floofy, cuddly, balls of purring awesomeness are? Their cute little noses? Their cute little paws? The cute things they do in their sleep that you can’t help but take pictures of?

Video Games

I love video games. Being transported to a fantasy world with linear goals makes me happy. I’ve played World of Warcraft for over a decade and I love any kind of simulation game – I just bought Planet Zoo and I am obsessed.

Yoga + Meditation

Both of these things make me feel amazing, physically and mentally, they’re also the two things that get pushed to the backburner the most often.

My favorite way to do Yoga is with Adriene, I recommend her to anyone who is starting out but might not have the means, or be too anxious, to go to a local yoga class.

What’s part of your self-care circle?