self-care routines saved my life
When the pandemic first hit, none of us predicted it would get this bad. I never could’ve imagined our federal government turning a blind eye to the deaths of so many Americans and going so far as to deny the seriousness of these deaths. I never could’ve imagined I would lose so much hope and belief in the power of the government. Due to their negligence, our stay-at-home orders are extended, masks are worn more often (causing pimple after pimple to arise right where that mask hits your nose - you know what I’m talking about), and most importantly, more lives are lost. It’s natural to feel disheartened in the wake of this loss. Not only loss of life, but loss of hope and trust. I relied on routines from the very beginning to give my life structure.
When my high school moved to virtual learning, I relied on the structure of the day. I tuned into each class, took my notes well, and studied after classes. I tried to hold onto that reality. Then spring break came and I had no idea what I would do with all this time. I’d spent the first half of the year juggling classes, extracurriculars, college applications, and a job on a local city council campaign, leaving little free time to do anything but eat and sleep.
So I did what any bibliophile would do, and dove into my book shelves. I read book after book while sitting on my front porch. I would wake up every morning, get my favorite floral mug filled with coffee, a cozy blanket, and curl up on the love seat on my front porch reading. I would spend hours listening to my quarantine playlist (linked here) and reading outside. It was an absolute DREAM. Once my fingertips got sore from flipping pages, I would make my way to the kitchen to bake. It got to a point where I baked 3 dozen pop tarts, 2 dozen cupcakes, and a dozen cookies all within a single weekend. My parents insisted I get it out of the house or they would, quite literally, explode. So, I started selling treats on Instagram. That lasted awhile, until people started heading back to school. Now my little Instagram account lies dormant, but my baker dreams are as alive as ever!
Besides restructuring my day to create a regular routine, mini lifestyle routines that just add a little bit to my day have been so fulfilling for me. They made me feel like I was doing something for myself and no one else. I figured out a perfect skin-care routine for the mornings and nights. I adhere to it religiously. I began practicing a 5 minute meditation every morning when I woke up instead of scrolling through a bunch of social media posts I would immediately forget about. I began journaling and making collages with magazines. Over the summer I rested and indulged in small luxuries here and there. I began working as a Personal Executive Assistant from home and tutoring/babysitting a few days a week.
I’m taking things one day at a time, but each routine gives me my foundation for the day. When I get that first smell of my face wash in the morning, I know I can face the day because I took some time to feel good. When I first hear the hushed tones of a mellow voice on my phone leading me through a meditation, I know I can face the day because I took some time to let my mind settle. When I first get a sip of coffee warming me up, I know I can face the day because I took some time to feel alive. No matter how small a routine may be, it’s vital to the outcome of our day. In a world that is uncertain and challenging, I know I can count on my routines to give me structure.
